COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball suffered its first defeat on the season, giving up 27 third-quarter points in falling to Division II, No. 5-ranked Johnson County Community College 64-49 Friday afternoon in the Holiday Inn/Hampton Inn Classic.

                The Cougars gave Johnson County a battle in the first half. The Cavaliers led 20-16 after one period before WNCC outscored JCCC 12-7 to take a 28-27 lead at intermission.

                The second half was a different story. Johnson County outscored WNCC 27-9 in the third and had a 20-point lead on WNCC on a couple occasions. The big difference in the second half was shooting where Johnson County shot 44 percent for the game, including eight 3-pointers, while WNCC was just 38 percent with four treys.

                Rebounding was even with the Cavaliers enjoying a 32-28 edge. Jalessa Avery led the Cougars on the glass with four boards.

                Avery and Anastacia Johnson led the Cougars on the offensive end with 11 points each. Olivia Wiberg tallied eight points followed by four points each from Zeynep Canbaz, Melisa Kadic, and Deniz Dalkiran.

                WNCC nailed four treys on the afternoon. Wiberg buried two long-range jumpers while Avery and Johnson each had one.

                The Cougars committed 16 turnovers to Johnson County's three. WNCC dished out eight assists and had four blocked shots. Dalkiran tallied two of the blocks, while Canbaz had five assists.

                WNCC will look to get back on the winning track Saturday at 4 p.m. when they take on No. 25 Iowa Western Community College in the Classic. The Cougars will then return home for three games next week when they host Yellowstone Christian junior varsity on Thursday, Adams State junior varsity on Friday, and Central Wyoming College on Saturday.

WNCC (1-2)                        16 12 9 12 – 49

Johnson County (5-0)     20 7 27 10 – 64

JOHNSON COUNTY

Austin Richardson 16, Kierra Isaiah 7, Kyessende Collins 5, Tantashea Siger 3, Ariele Jackson 12, Cerena Reeves 3, Abby Unis 9, Kylee Williams 3, Shaleia Jamison 7.

WNCC

Sladjana Rakovic 2, Jaleesa Avery 11, Zeynep Canbaz 4, Anastacia Johnson 11, Melisa Kadic 4, Sophie Agorakis 2, Olivia Wiberg 8, Deniz Dalkiran 4, Giovonna Silva 3.