McCOOK, Neb. – The Eastern Wyoming College Lady Lancers won their seventh-straight game to close out the regular season, beating McCook Community College 71-51 on the road Saturday.
EWC took an early lead over the Lady Indians, holding a 21-13 lead after the first frame. The Lady Lancers were limited to 13 points in the second quarter, but still held a 34-25 lead heading into halftime. Another 18 points in the third quarter put EWC up 52-31 heading into the third quarter and the Lady Lancers cruised to the 20-point win.
Pamela Bethel notched 19 points, including nine from the charity stripe, along with 13 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a team-high three blocks. Lauren O’Connell was the second starter in double-figures, tallying 18 points, including 12 from behind the arc, where she shot 4-of-8. O’Connell finished her stat line with six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Emily Buchanan came off the bench and racked up 12 points, shooting 5-of-6 from the floor, including 2-of-2 from behind the arc. She also had two rebounds.
Joining Bethel and O’Connell as the starters, Ines Salat Margarit turned in nine points, four rebounds and an assist. Abril Rexach Roure turned in four points, seven boards, two assists and a steal, while Macie Mackey chipped in two points, two rebounds, an assist and two steals.
Ijeoma Ezikeolisa turned in four points, four rebounds and two blocks on the night, while Morning Gambler drained a three after coming off the bench. Cathlyn Knutson chipped in three rebounds and an assist.
EWC 78, North Platte 64
The Lady Lancers piled up 20 points in the first quarter on the road Friday against North Platte, while the home team had 18. The Lady Knights outscored the Lady Lancers 13-12 in the second quarter, putting EWC up 32-31 at intermission. EWC exploded for 28 points in the third quarter, eight more than North Platte, to up its lead to nine. The Lady Lancers outscored the Lady Knights 18-13 in the fourth to cruise to the win.
Bethel had another solid stat line, racking up 26 points, including eight from the free-throw line, along with 12 rebounds and a block.
O’Connell was the only other Lady Lancer in double-figures, racking up 11 points, four boards and an assist. Rexach was close to double-figures with nine points, two boards, and team-highs in assists, with five, and steals, with three.
Rounding out the starters, Margarit chipped in six points and Mackey added another five points. Mackey had four boards and four assists, while Margarit chipped in two rebounds and three assists.
Southeast’s Buchanan had the biggest contribution off the bench, accounting for seven points and three rebounds. Knutson and Ezikeolisa had six points apiece, while combining for seven rebounds. Kelliann Raff rounded out the scoring with two points and four rebounds.
The back-to-back wins puts EWC’s streak at seven wins in a row heading into the postseason. The Lady Lancers now have a 20-10 record and are heading to the first round of the NJCAA Region IX Tournament. EWC hosts Otero Junior College Friday at 6 p.m.
