ROCK SPRINGS – Reflections of lights ricocheted off Rushmore Floor as the familiar sound of leather hitting the hardwood returned to Western Wyoming Community College Thursday night.

Behind 13 points and 19 rebounds from Shayla Simpson, WWCC overcame a rocky start to put a W in the books with a 94-72 win over the Utah All-Stars. The Mustangs Invitational continues Friday as the ladies return for a contest against Snow College. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

First game jitters and an uninspired start had Mustang fans worried early. The Utah All-Stars used the three to play an even first quarter. At points in the second quarter, the ladies of Western were on the verge of letting the game slip away earlier. During a late timeout, WWCC Head Coach Garett Sherman pulled the team aside and challenged them to step up. The Mustangs responded but still trailed at the break, 43-40.

Freshman point Dora Goles came out of the half focused and guiding the team. Goles found teammates in open spots and hit two crucial threes to start the third quarter. Simpson and Savannah Hunter came alive and had Western up to a double-digit lead by the middle of the quarter.

The Utah All-Stars came back behind the three and cut the lead back to single-digits. They would do it again in the fourth quarter after another run by WWCC.

Irene Garrido Perez played solid minutes down the stretch as did Freshman guard Marlee Machon. Behind the two, WWCC ended any last attempt at a comeback. With three minutes to go, Ozge Yarga stepped back from three and iced the game.

Goles finished with 11 points and nine assists while Yarga lead the team in scoring with 14 points. Hunter, Lexi Smith, Julia Hanni all finished with 11 points while Perez finished with 10.