CASPER, Wyo. — In a showdown between nationally-ranked rivals, the No. 18 Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team capped off its regular-season schedule with a 53-48 road win over No. 10 Casper College on Tuesday night in Casper, Wyoming.

The victory improved the Cougars' overall record to 24-3. Next up for WNCC will be the Region IX Tournament, which begins March 1 in Gillette, Wyo.

After building a seven-point lead on Casper at the end of three quarters, the Cougars had to hold on at the end as the Thunderbirds rallied within a point late. But WNCC was able to hit a few clutch free throws by Ozge Yarga to give the Cougars a 3-point lead and then Sladjana Rakovic in the closing seconds to close out the win.

The victory helped WNCC avenge an early-season loss to Casper when the Thunderbirds won at Cougar Palace 70-61.

Sladjana Rakovic and Bree Paulson led the Cougars offensively with 12 points each. Paulson hit a pair of 3-pointers.

As a team, WNCC shot 33.3 percent from the field overall and limited Casper to just 28.8 percent. The Cougars were red hot from the free throw line in the contest, converting 18 of their 19 opportunities.

Zeynep Canbaz dished out a team-high four assists for the Cougars. Rakovic was right behind with three.

Casper out-rebounded WNCC by a 38-26 margin. Canbaz led the Cougars on the glass with six boards. Paulson followed with five.

WNCC totaled 16 steals in the game compared to Casper's 10. The Cougars also outscored the Thunderbirds 19-13 off the bench.

WNCC will await the winner of a first-round game in the regional tournament. The Cougars earned a bye into the quarterfinals.

WNCC (24-3)      10 11 20 12 — 53
Casper (26-4)     12 9 13 14 — 48
WNCC
Kalli Feddersen 4, Sladjana Rakovic 12, Hannah Sparks 4, Ozge Yarga 4, Zeynep Canbaz 2, Bree Paulson 12, Rylee Ward 5, Mikayla Gonzales 4, Myriam Garcia 6.
CASPER
Rose Altunbulak 1, Ada Yalcin 9, Ruth Nwokora 6, Monika Radomska 11, Josie Sewell 6, Alyssa Big Man 3, Gabby Johnson 10, Grace Weeks 2.