ROCK SPRINGS – Final preparations are being made as Region IX schools are closing in on the end of the season and preparing for tournament time. For Western Wyoming, the men are on a bit of a high including taking two this weekend while the ladies went 1-1 against Sheridan and Gillette.
For the ladies, the Sheridan game is one which showed a little more of the team’s character. The Mustangs looked at a large deficit at half as Sheridan was up 48-29. The Mustangs came out strong and battled back into the game. Alisa Petersen, Whitni Syrett and Teneshia Davison had strong second-half performances for WWCC. They got as close as five but fell in the end, 93-83. Syrett scored 26 while Petersen finished with 17.
This determination could be seen against Gillette the following day. Western got up by a large margin but Gillette was able to cut the lead to seven at the break, 39-32, In the second half, Gillette was able to slowly chip away and was able to take the lead with three minutes left.
Western dug deep and regain the lead. Gillette had a shot at the buzzer but missed as the Mustangs grabbed the win, 76-75. Teneshia Davison had 13 points, Ashley Chestnut scored 11 points and Tia Tiller contributed 10 points.
Western will have a crucial road trip as they battle for tournament seeding. On Friday, WWCC will face Little Big Horn in Crow Agency, Mont. The Mustangs were able to win the first meeting pretty easy, 92-59.
The following night, the ladies of Western will be Miles City for the second meeting with MCC. Miles beat Western in the first meeting by ten. MCC brings a 15-9 overall record and a conference record of 5-3. Miles loves it at home as they are 3-0 in conference play on their home court. Miles is currently fourth in the conference.
They finish the road trip with the first meeting between WWCC and Northwest on Feb. 12 and will face Central Wyoming the following day in Riverton. The Mustangs lost in a close one in the first meeting of the year with Central, 56-49.
Western Wyoming Men
The Western Wyoming men had a fantastic start to the season but struggled to open conference play. They have held their home court winning their last three. They will be looking to get those all important road games in the next couple of weeks.
In recent action, the Mustangs won two at home against Sheridan and Gillette. Against Sheridan, it was all Western from start to finish. The Mustangs led at the half, 44-39 and increased it in the second to take the 88-70 win.
Against Gillette. it was a little different story but with the same outcome. The Mustangs trailed at the break but quickly took the lead to start the second half. The Mustang offense was sparked by strong play from Stefan Wright. Western held it for most of the half. Gillette was able to get the lead late but Jarred Laws hit a clutch three down the stretch to force overtime.
The Mustangs grabbed the early advantage in overtime and just as it looked as if Western would take it, Gillette came right back to even the game. The Mustangs put the ball in the hands of Isaiah Parros and with four seconds left was fouled on a strong drive. Parros nailed bothfree throws to give WWCC the win.
With the wins, WWCC moved to third in conference with a record of 5-3. All five wins have came at home for the Mustangs while they are 0-3 in conference on the road. The Mustangs will have a golden opportunity to change this as they will be in Montana this weekend.
They will open with Little Big Horn on Friday and Miles on Saturday. Both are at the bottom of the conference standings. Miles has one win in conference while Little Big Horn is 0-8.
