Good shooting and great defense lead the Rustlers to their first subregion win, beating Gillette 72-60.

The lady Rustlers fought hard early on to control the game with the multiple lead changes throughout the first quarter with Gillette hitting a half court shot at the buzzer to tie it at 15 a piece to end the quarter. The Rustlers battled again and went into halftime up one 33-32.

The Rustlers opened the 3rd quarter scoring six unanswered points. The pronghorns battled back and got within one, but never took the lead over the Rustlers. The Rustlers outscored the Pronghorns 23-12 in the third quarter and 16 a piece in the fourth.

Four Rustlers scored in double figures, Rylee Burmester lead the way with 23 for the night. Marissa Arnold chipped in 16 while Brayle Crosman had a season high 11 points along with Paulani Tarawa who added in 11. Three Rustlers accounted for 34 of the 60 Rustler rebounds for the game. Megan Krahenbuhl had a season high 13 with Marissa Arnold adding in 12 to record her first double-double and Rylee Burmester pulling down nine.

"This was a great all around team effort," said head coach Ken Swartz. "Marissa, Brayle and Megan had excellent performances and if they continue like that it will open things up for Rylee and Paulani and we will be very competitive. This was a must win game if we want to host a play in game."

The Rustlers continue at home, Saturday Jan. 20 against 24th ranked Casper College at 2pm.

Story by Mika Pinner