COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team went 1-1 at the Holiday Inn/Hampton Inn Classic Friday and Saturday in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The Cougars opened the classic on Friday falling to Iowa Western Community College 80-75 behind a 27-point out-pouring from sophomore Merle Wiehl.
WNCC followed that up with a 99-54 win over Cloud County Community College where the Cougars scored 31 first-quarter points. Wiehl and Tishara Morehouse led the Cougars with 22 and 20 points respectively.
The Cougars opened the game with plenty of offense, racing to a 30-10 first quarter lead before leading 51-26 at halftime. After leading 78-46 after the three, the Cougars finished the game with an tough defensive stand, outscoring Cloud County 21-8 for the final margin.
WNCC had five players in double figures. Wiehl led the way with 22 points, including three 3-pointers. Wiehl also had six rebounds. Morehouse poured in 20 points with two treys and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Morehouse finished with six assists and five steals.
Also hitting double digits were R'manie Pulling with 12 points, Taylor Joplin with 11, and Eva Langton with 10. Pulling had two treys with five assists while Joplin had six rebounds and three assists.
WNCC shot 53 percent for the game while holding Cloud County to 29 percent shooting. WNCC nailed nine 3-pointers while converting 16 of 19 charity-stripe opportunities. Cloud County made just three 3-pointers and were 25 of 38 from the free throw line.
WNCC held a 35-29 rebounding edge. The Cougars also force 31 Cloud County turnovers.
Against Iowa Western, The Cougars trailed 17-15 after the first quarter but outscored the Reivers 22-13 in the second quarter to hold a 37-30 lead at halftime. Both squads were knotted at 54 after three periods.
WNCC shot 49 percent from the field, including making 11 of 25 3-pointers. WNCC was also 14- of 18 from the charity stripe.
Iowa Western was 51 percent from the field and made nine 3-pointers. Iowa Western held a 38-23 advantage on the boards.
WNCC had four players in double figures. Wiehl led all scorers with her 27 points, which included five 3-pointers. She also pulled down six rebounds.
Morehouse finished with 14 points with two treys while Allysah Boothe had 13 with three 3-pointers. Joplin shipped in 12 points with five rebounds.
WNCC, 2-2, will be back in action Wednesday when they host Northwest College at 7 p.m. at Cougar Palace. WNCC will then head to Gillette, Wyoming, for games against Gillette and Colorado Northwestern on Friday and Saturday.
Friday's Game
WNCC 15 22 17 21 – 80
Iowa Western 17 13 24 26 – 80
WNCC
Merle Wiehl 27, Allysah Boothe 13, Eva Langton 2, Taylor Joplin 12, Tishara Morehouse 14, Anyssia gibbs 3, R'manie Pulling 2, Yuliyana Valcheva 2.
Saturday's Game
WNCC 30 21 27 21 – 99
Cloud County 10 16 20 8 – 54
WNCC
Merle Wiehl 22, Andrijana Reljic 2, Eva Langon 10, Taylor Joplin 11, Tishara Morehouse 20, Kolby Underwod 3, R'manie Pulling 12, Yuliyana Valcheva 14, Yaidelis Torres 5.