(Riverton, WY) – The Central Wyoming women’s basketball team stayed busy during the Thanksgiving break, traveling to Western Nebraska Community College on Tuesday of last week. The Rustlers fought hard on defense in the first half, limiting Western Nebraska to 28 points. But turnovers and lack of points from players coming off the bench stunted Central Wyoming’s second half production and ability to keep pace, leaving them with a 66-37 deficit at the end of the game. Esperanza Vergara was the lone CWC player to reach double digits in points. A quick turnaround was in order for the Rustlers, as they were set to host their third home classic of the season on Friday and Saturday, November 29 and 30.
Friday night brought on a Region IX-South opponent in Lamar Community College. The Runnin’ Lopes made life difficult for Central Wyoming, but the Rustlers were able to keep the lead within arm’s reach. Despite a better shooting performance from behind the arc and committing less personal fouls, the Rustlers couldn’t cut down the deficit enough to pull ahead of Lamar. Vergara and Walker each chipped in 15 and 13 points respectively, but ultimately Lamar pulled out the victory with a score of 83-62.
Saturday’s game ended CWC’s November non-conference campaign on a positive note. The Wyoming All-Stars were no match for the offensive artillery of Central Wyoming. Natalia Ballin and Katie Walker helped jumpstart the Rustler’s offense with their 33 & 24 point performances, respectively. Central Wyoming scored over 30 points in three out of four quarters and set a season high team record of 122 total points. Vergara had a double double with 18 points and 10 assists, and every player for CWC scored at least four points.
The women’s basketball team will travel to Salt Lake City this week to participate in a classic hosted by Salt Lake Community College. They will then make their way down to Ephraim to face Snow College for the third time this year, before returning to host their fourth and final classic on December 13 and 14.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s basketball team wrapped up November’s slate of non-conference games this past weekend with one game in Ephraim, Utah. They took on the number 5 ranked NJCAA basketball team Snow College Saturday afternoon. The one-loss Badgers were the third nationally-ranked team the Rustlers faced in the month of November, and Snow College proved they deserved their position in the top-five of all NJCAA teams in the country.
The halftime deficit was a whopping 40 points, which could be attributed to a rough night putting the ball in the hoop, which CWC shot 27.3% shooting from the field. Snow also only committed one turnover compared to Central Wyoming’s 11 first half TOs. The Rustler’s shooters warmed up in the second half and doubled their first half scoring output, but their efforts were a day late and a dollar short. Isaac Patik was the only one to reach double digits points, and Snow College ran away with a 100-50 win over CWC.
They’re on the road this week to a classic hosted by Salt Lake Community College on Wednesday and Thursday November 4 and 5. There they will get rematches against both Snow College and Salt Lake CC.
On the Schedule this week:
- Men’s Basketball
- Wednesday, Dec. 4–vs Salt Lake Community College @ SLCC Classic @ 7 pm
- Thursday, Dec. 5– vs Snow College @ SLCC Classic @ 7pm
- Women’s Basketball
- Thursday, Dec. 5– vs Salt Lake Community College @ SLCC Classic @ TBA
- Friday, Dec. 6– vs Colorado Northwestern Community College @ SLCC Classic @ 1pm
- Saturday, Dec. 7– vs Snow College @ Ephraim, UT @ TBA