GILLETTE, Wyo. – Bree Paulson poured in 18 points and the Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team captured a 66-51 win over Gillette College Saturday evening in Gillette, Wyoming.

                Paulson, who had 18 points with two 3 pointers, said the team played solid defense that helped the offense.

                "To defeat Gillette we had to play solid defense and had to take advantage of the opportunities we were given offensively," the sophomore from Broomfield, Colorado, said.

                Gillette came into the contest as the defending Region IX champions and the Cougars played tough defense in holding the Pronghorns to 33 percent shooting from the field.

                Paulson said the 3-0 start feels good, but they have to continue getting better as they have two tough games next weekend in Council Bluffs, Iowa when they face No. 6 Iowa Western Community College and Division II No. 5 Johnson County Community College.

                "It feels good being 3-0 and we will definitely celebrate tonight's win but once Monday hits we will continue to practice hard this week and prepare ourselves for the big competition this weekend."

                Paulson was one of two players to finish with double figures. Freshman Melisa Kadic tallied 15 points, including burying three 3-pointers. WNCC also had eight-point performances from Sladjana Rakovic and Jaleesa Avery, while Zeynep Canbaz had seven points.

                WNCC out-rebounded Gillette 43-40. Rakovic pulled down nine boards followed by four each from Paulson and Anastacia Johnson.

WNCC (3-0)         38 28 – 66

Gillette                 29 22 – 51

GILLETTE

Rickie Engesser 9, Angie Murnion 12, Julia Robargo 10, Shy'Tyra Powell 2, Azhane Bufford 4, Dawnee Keckler 4, Brittany Richards 10.

WNCC

Sladjana Rakovic 8, Jaleesa Avery 8, Zeynep Canbaz 7, Bree Paulson 18, Anastacia Johnson 2, Melisa Kadic 2, Kristin Gaston 4, Deniz Dalkirin 4.