After dropping consecutive setbacks to nationally-ranked opponents, the Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team got back in the win column with a 92-41 victory over Yellowstone Christian College on Thursday night at Cougar Palace in Scottsbluff.
Leading by a slim 9-8 margin after the first quarter, the Cougars dominated the remainder of the contest by outscoring Yellowstone 83-33 the rest of the way. The win improved WNCC to 4-2 on the season.
WNCC will try to stay hot as they host the WNCC Classic on Friday and Saturday. The Cougars will take on Adams State junior varsity at 7 p.m. Friday while Laramie County Community College and Central Wyoming College will battle at 5 p.m.
University of Wyoming recruit Sladjana Rakovic led the Cougars with a solid, all-around performance. Rakovic finished with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. She connected on 8 of her 13 shots from the field overall, including 2-for-2 from behind the 3-point line. Rakovic also sank all four of her free throw opportunities.
Three other Cougars scored in double figures. Bree Paulson poured in 16 points, while Zeynep Canbaz and Anastacia Johnson each added 12 points.
The Cougars finished the contest shooting 39.2 percent from the field overall. WNCC hit 7 of 22 3-pointes and converted 23 of 34 free throws.
WNCC proved dominant on the glass. The Cougars outrebounded Yellowstone by a 59-35 margin. Rakovic's 10 boards led the way. Johnson and Melisa Kadic pulled down seven rebounds each, while Deniz Dalkiran added six.
The Cougars shared the ball well throughout the game. Johnson handed out a team-high four assists. Rakovic, Canbaz, Paulson, and Olivia Wiberg all followed with three assists each.
WNCC totaled 15 steals defensively. Canbaz led the way with three steals. Kadic, Johnson, and Dalkiran each recorded two.
Yellowstone Christian 8 14 8 11 — 41
WNCC (4-2) 9 26 28 29 — 92
YELLOWSTONE CHRISTIAN
Leonardine John 10, Deandra Cunningham 4, Tayler Calf Boss Ribs 5, Sharnell Thomas 15, Zhane Akeys 4, Paige Gregory 1, Marja Lazarevic 2.
WNCC
Melisa Kadic 9, Sladjana Rakovic 22, Jaleesa Avery 6, Sophie Agorakis 3, Olivia Wiberg 2, Kellie Gaston 8, Zeynep Canbaz 12, Bree Paulson 16, Anastacia Johnson 12, Giovanna Silva 2.