Rustlers beat #8 Gillette
Last week the Central Wyoming College men's basketball team played a pair of Region IX sub-region games – hosting Northwest College and travelling to Gillette College.
Hosting the Northwest College Trappers on Wednesday, February 7th, the Rustlers found themselves in a tight game at half time. Both teams came out hot in what looked like a game that would be a high scoring contest. The Rustlers entered half time leading by 7. The second half was a different story, as the Rustlers tightened up their defense, holding the Trappers to only 30, second half points and pulling away for an 89-68 victory. Leading the way for the Rustlers was Broc Finstuen with 22 points.
Rounding out the week the Rustlers headed to Gillette to take on the nationally ranked Gillette College Pronghorns. The Rustler men trailed the Pronghorns for only 52 seconds the entire game taking a 10 point half time lead and ultimately beating #8 Gillette 91-74. Leading the way for the Rustlers was Irshaad Hunte with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Other key contributors for the Rustlers were Baris Ulker with 18 points, Marquis White with 17 points, Devon Colley with 11 points and 9 assists and Broc Finstuen with 10 points.
"Overall it was a very good week for our program," said Coach Jack Nelson. "Beating the 8th ranked team in the country is great and I am really proud of our guys but the thing that I really love seeing is our team buying into the importance of us playing great defense. I have no doubt that our defense is what is driving us right now and we have to continue to have that mindset the rest of the season."
The Rustlers will take the road again on Wednesday, February 14th, heading to play Casper College before returning home on Saturday, February 17th to host Little Big Horn College.