TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team gave No. 8 College of Southern Idaho a run for their money Saturday in the final day of the Coco-Cola Invitational in Twin Falls, Idaho.

                It was a game that was closer than the final score as CSI posted the 61-50 win.

                Lidia Hernandez had a huge stat line for the Cougars as the 5-foot-7 guard posted a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds along with three steals.

                Two other Cougars also netted double figures as Helena Kuck and Adelina Urtane each had 10 points. Kuck buried three 3-pointers while Urtane had a double-double with 10 rebounds to go with her 10 points.

                The difference in the game was shooting as the Cougars shot just 27.4 percent from the game and were 6-of-33 from behind the arc. CSI wasn't that much better, shooting 31.9 percent and just 4-of-21 from the 3-point line.

                The Cougars did win the rebound battle 49-46 as Hernandez and Urtane combined for 25 rebounds.

                The first quarter was also a big factor as CSI ran out to an 8-0 lead and the Cougars didn't get their first points until 3:06 left in the quarter on two Urtane free throws. The Cougars also hit their first field goal with a minute left in the quarter on a Zozefine Sipolina 3-pointer. WNCC did make it 11-8 after the first when Urtane buried a triple.

                The second quarter saw CSI lead 18-12 when the Cougars took their first lead of the game when Hernandez had an old-fashioned 3-point play followed by a 3-pointer by Kuck. Laura Montiel then hit a free throw with 3:22 left in the half for the 19-18 lead. WNCC couldn't hold it as CSI hit a late 3-pointer to lead 23-20 at halftime.

                The third quarter saw the Cougars grab their biggest lead of the game at 31-26 behind back-to-back 3-pointers by Kuck and a bucket by Nataly Dunka. CSI responded as they went on an 8-3 run to lead 38-33 after three.

                The fourth quarter was a battle as WNCC grabbed a 46-42 lead with just over two minutes to play. That was when the shooting woes hit for the Cougars and CSI went on a 13-0 run to lead 59-46 before winning 61-50.

                WNCC, 6-2, will be back in action Tuesday when they host Central Wyoming College in a 5:30 p.m. game at Cougar Palace. The Cougars will then head to Salt Lake City for a Thanksgiving Classic when they face Utah State Eastern on Friday, No. 18 Salt Lake Community College on Saturday and Dawson Community College on Sunday.   

WNCC (6-2)                    8 12 14 16 – 50
CSI (5-1)                            11 12 15 23 – 61
WNCC
Lidia Hernandez 15, Helena Kuck 10, Laura Montiel 3, Zozefine Sipolina 7, Nataly Dunka 5, Adelina Urtane 10.
CSI
Kennedy Gillette 10, Mariah Mons 3, Samara Morrow 18, Kayla Kasabuchi 5, Ashley Garner 6, Chloe Jensen 3, Savannah Stoker 10, Falon Bedke 6.