The 18th-ranked Cougar women put three in double figures, including a double-double by Sladjana Rakovic of 12 points and 11 rebounds in cruising to a 76-54 Region IX South Division win over Eastern Wyoming College.
The Cougar moved to 23-3 on the season and 11-1 in South play with the victory that saw Cougars open up a 57-51 lead after three quarters in holding the Lancers to just three fourth-quarter points while scoring 19 themselves.
The contest was also the last home game for four sophomores. Kalli Feddersen, one of those sophomores, said it was a good win.
"I think we played well as a team and we did what we were supposed to do," the Rawlins, Wyoming, native said. "A rivalry game is never easy so I'm glad we took care of business."
Feddersen, along with Hannah Sparks, Brooke Zimmerman, and Luize Skarstina played for the final time at Cougar Palace as sophomores. Feddersen said she will cherish her memories here.
"It was a good win especially as our last game here," she said. "I've had a blast here."
The WNCC women led 25-20 after one quarter and then 43-33 at the half. The third quarter saw the Lancers outscore the Cougars 18-14 to trail 57-51. It was the fourth quarter that the Cougars got hot both offensively and defensively for the win.
WNCC shot 43 percent from the field, including nailing four 3-pointers. EWC was 29 percent from the field and also nailed four treys. The Cougars controlled the boards, out-rebounding EWC 56-30.
The Cougars also shared the ball well, tallying 15 assists led by Hannah Sparks with seven.
Sparks led the Cougars with 19 points and she also pulled down eight rebounds. Bree Paulson tallied 15 points with two 3-pointers, while Rakovic had 12 points.
EWC had just one player in double figures in Sarah Bersang with 14 points, including going 8 of 10 from the charity stripe.
The Cougar women will have one more regular season game left before the regional tournament when they travel to face No. 10 Casper College on Tuesday.
Women's Game
EWC (13-16) 20 13 18 3 – 54
WNCC (23-3) 25 18 14 19 – 76
EWC
Emily Evans 8, Sarah Bersang 14, Carna Prokic 4, Jacquelene Saucedo 3, Angalyn Latin 4, Lacey Knudson 7, Sophie Claycomb 3, Katrina Terrell 9, Jessica Rossi 2.
WNCC
Kallie Feddersen 8, Sladjana Rakovic 12, Hannah Sparks 19, Ozge Yarga 2, Zeynep Canbaz 5, Bree Paulson 15, Mikayla Gonzales 8, Myrian Garcia 7.