LA JUNTA, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team captured their 18th win of the season with a big Region IX South sub-region 71-68 win over Otero Junior College Saturday afternoon at La Junta, Colorado.
The win moves the Cougars to 8-1 in the South sub-region.
Saturday's contest was a battle against an Otero squad that is tough to beat on their home court. Otero led 21-15 after the first quarter. It was the second quarter that the Cougars showed up, especially playing strong defense in holding Otero to just nine points while scoring 21 of their own to hold a 36-30 lead at intermission.
Both teams ended up knotted at 46 after three periods, setting up a while fourth quarter. Otero took a 66-64 lead with 1:05 to play on a 3-pointer. WNCC came back to tie the game at 66 on two Sladjana Rakovic free throws.
After two free throws by Otero put the Rattlers back in front, Giovanna Silva came back with 17 seconds to play to give WNCC the lead at 69-68 on an old-fashioned 3-point play. After a missed shot by Otero, Rakovic was fouled and converted for the final 3-point margin.
WNCC shot 46 percent for the game, including burying six 3-pointers. Rakovic led the way with 20 points, including pulling down eight rebounds and going 8 of 8 from the charity stripe. Jaleesa Avery also finished with double figures, tallying 10 points.
Zyenep Canbaz, who had seven points, dished out seven assists and recorded three steals.
WNCC will be back in action Wednesday when they host Iowa Western Community College at 6 p.m.
WNCC (18-4) 15 21 10 25 – 71
Otero (8-15) 21 9 16 22 – 68
WNCC
Bree Paulson 9, Giovanna Silva 5, Jaleesa Avery 10, Zeynep Canbaz 7, Anastacia Johnson 8, Melisa Kadic 2, Sladjana Rakovic 20, Sophie Agorakis 2, Oliva Wiberg 3, Kellie Gaston 5.