Women's Basketball Splits Over Weekend
Our women's basketball team took the court this past weekend at Western Wyoming Community College. Their season opener was against Salt Lake Community College. The game to trail would be versus Colorado Northwestern Community College, both SLCC & CNCC are Region 18 competitors. "This weekend was really good exposure for our team. It allowed us to gain a bit more confidence moving forward as we will continue to face tough teams before conference play," said Coach Fearing
The Rutlers faced the #15 NJCAA team in the nation Friday afternoon without their sophomore leader and leading scorer, Essy Latu. "Overall, I am happy with how our players performed with Essy not on the court. I challenged a few players to fill roles they aren't comfortable playing, & they did just that," commented Head Coach, Lindsey Fearing.
Salt Lake beat the Rustlers 62 to 51 in a well fought 40 minute game on both ends of the court. "We have a very young group this year, so that means they have to learn and apply quickly. Facing a team at the caliber of Salt Lake as our opening game and really having an opportunity to compete for a win is exciting for us," said Coach Fearing.
Transfer Lani Taliauli had a solid game shooting 50% from the field goal, leading all scorers with 15pts and 5 rebounds. Freshman point guard Alexis Murguia trailed with 14pts, 6 rebounds. Freshmen Guard Siona Astorga contributed with her 6-6 makes at the freethrow line and Freshmen Guard Kailiana Ramos with 9pts, 3 assists, 4 rebounds.
The second game versus Colorado Northwestern Community College started out pretty rough for the Rustlers. For most of the first half the game went back and forth on the scoreboard. After halftime, the Rustlers came out firing, which not only sparked the energy shift they needed but a quick point spread.
"The first half we scored 28pts and gave up 28pts. "We put up 25pts to CNCC's 8pts in the third quarter which says we can play college basketball. We simply were not ready to go in the first half. I have all the confidence in the world that we will be better at first half performances," commented Head Coach Lindsey Fearing. The Rustlers finished with the win over the Spartans, 74 to 54.
Freshmen Alexis Murguia led all scorers with an impressive stat line of 19pts, 7-8 being drawn from the freethrow line, 7 rebounds, 3 assists. Freshmen Kailiana Ramos trailed with 13pts, Freshmen Hayley Cotter shot 42% from the field, adding 11pts, and Sophomore Lani Taliauli added 8pts, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Sophomore Guard Jade Ware was the glue for Rustlers this weekend adding 11pts shooting 55% field goal, grabbing 5 rebounds, and dishing 3 assists.
CWC will continue their play Friday, November 8th against Utah State Eastern and Saturday, November 9th against Snow.