CASPER, Wyo. – The Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team saw their season come to an end at the Region IX tourney in Casper, Wyoming, after falling to Western Wyoming Community College 58-52.

                The Cougars end the season at 25-7 while Western Wyoming moves on in the semifinals to face Northeastern Junior College. NJC was a 77-50 winner over Gillette College.

                The quarterfinals saw Otero bounce Eastern Wyoming 70-48, while Casper eliminated McCook 82-65. Otero and Casper will meet in the other semifinal.

                WNCC had a couple of dry spells in the first and third quarters. Western Wyoming opened the contest leading 11-3 and led 19-10 after the first 10 minutes. The second quarter saw WNCC outscore Western Wyoming 19-10 and led 29-28 at halftime.

                WNCC went up 31-28 to start the third, but the Mustangs went on a 10-0 run to lead 38-31 and later 42-34. WNCC came back to trail 42-41. Western Wyoming led 46-41 after three periods.

                The fourth quarter was evenly played as Western Wyoming outscored WNCC 12-11 for the 58-52 win.

                WNCC had just one player in double digits with Helena Kuck with 11 followed by eight points each from Ebere Egbirika, Gal-La Font, and Laura Montiel.

                WNCC shot 32 percent from the field while Western Wyoming was 39 percent. WNCC connected on seven 3-pointers. The Cougars also out-rebounded Western Wyoming 36-28.

WNCC                 10 19 12 11 – 52
W. Wyoming      19 9 18 12 – 58
WNCC
Ebere Egbirika 8, Helena Kuck 11, Gal-La Font 8, Laura Montiel 8, Mackenzie Joseph 3, Amiyah Donaldson 7, Kiley Smich 2.
WESTERN WYOMING
Kadye Strauss 15, Anja Ekstrom 10, Sierra Eddie 19, Tamryn Blom 12, Ashley Christensen 2.