The women got off to a rough start Wednesday evening in Casper. The Rustlers struggled with the Thunderbirds constant pressure and lost, 96-44.

The Rustlers scored only 13 points in the first half with only two coming in the second quarter after the Rustlers went scoreless the first eight minutes of the quarter.  The Rustlers came out with a new intensity in the third quarter and scored 16 points in the third and 15 in the fourth.

Paulani Tarawa lead the Rustlers with 18 points on 7 of 16 from the field, with Rylee Burmester adding in 10. The Rustlers shot 33 percent from the field and 75 percent from the charity stripe.

"They are a very good team and very well coached," said head coach Ken Swartz. "They out manned us at every position and we couldn't get anything going offensively or defensively. We just have to come back, regroup and come back ready to go Saturday."

The Rustlers continue their season with three home games beginning with Little Big Horn on Saturday at 2pm.

Story by Mika Pinner