Pioneers 63... Western Nebraska 77

The Western Nebraska Cougar Women's basketball team exploded for 49 1st half points and staved off every late charge the Pioneers threw at them in the 2nd half to earn a 77-63 win on Saturday afternoon in Gillette, WY. The Cougars got 17 points (7-9 FG, 3-4 FT) from 6'4 center Ola Duda and 14 more from Jayla Owen (4-11 FG, 2-5 3's, 4-4 FT) he move Western Nebraska's record to 7-3 on the season. 

Western Nebraska led 49-32 at halftime but the Pioneers outscored the Cougars 33-28 in the 2nd half but couldn't fight all the way back. The Pioneers got 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-3 FT) and a team high 8 rebounds from Jessica Tomkins (Melbourne, Australia) and 12 more from Ella Paleaae-Cook (4-7 FG, 4-7 3's) to lead the Pioneers. India Blyth (Melbourne, Australia) was the 3rd Pioneer in double figures with 11 points (4-13 FG, 3-9 3's, 0-4 FT) to go along with 5 rebounds. 

Inside the Box Score

• Over half of the Pioneers shots were from the 3-point line. MCC was 10-30 (33%) from 3-point land and 24-56 (43%) overall. They hit only 5-13 FT (39%)
• Western Nebraska was 28-61 (46%) from the field and 6-18 (33%) from 3-point land. The Cougars hit 15-21 (71%) from the free throw line. 
• MCC outrebounded the Cougars 37-35 and each team had 7 offensive rebounds. 
• MCC had 21 turnovers to only 11 from the Cougars. 
• Western Nebraska had 36 points off of their bench and MCC had 14.

The Pioneers are now 4-9 on the season and will host Dickinson State JV on Friday, December 9 at 5:00 PM.