LAMAR, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team got back on the winning track as they gutted out a road win over Lamar Community College Tuesday evening in registering the 63-48 South Sub-region win.

                The win moves the Cougars to 14-8 on the season and more importantly to 3-1 in the conference. WNCC is now tied with Otero for first place after the Rattlers defeated Trinidad State 92-65. Trinidad falls to 3-2 in sub-region play.

                Ola Duda had a big night as the freshman from Poland led the way with 18 points. Duda said they played alright, especially scoring within the paint.

                "We took care of the ball. We limited turnovers and we ran well in transition," she said. "(The key to the win) was our inside presence."

                WNCC controlled the contest for the majority of the game. The Cougars jumped to a 10-6 lead before Lamar cut the deficit to three points at 15-12. WNCC would go on to lead after one period 19-13.

                The second quarter was where the Cougars offense and defense shined. Offensively, WNCC put up 24 points with Duda, Rashaan Smith, and Faith Walker doing most of the damage from inside. Duda scored eight points in the second period as WNCC built a 28-16 lead and led 43-20 at halftime.

                The third quarter belonged to Lamar as they racked up 19 points while WNCC had a slow third period, scoring just seven points, but leading 50-39 after three periods on a Walker bucket.

                The fourth quarter saw WNCC stay in control as they scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter on back-to-back buckets by Bre Fowler with one being a 3-pointer for a 57-39. WNCC never looked back after that to get the win.

                WNCC had three players in double figures. After Duda's 18, Fowler had 12 points while Smith finished with 10.

                WNCC, 14-8, will next be in action Monday, February 6 when they travel to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to face Laramie County Community College at Story Gymnasium for a men's and women's doubleheader.

                Duda said they are going to heal up during the weekend off as they have three big games next week.

                "We are going to spend time recovering and working on rebounding," Duda said.

WNCC (14-8)     19 24 7 13 – 63
Lamar (6-14)      13 7 19 9 – 48

WNCC
Shiho Isono 6, Yara Garcia 5, Bre Fowler 12, Mackenzie Joseph 6, Ola Duda 18, Faith Walker 4, Rashaan Smith 10.