The season has come to a close for the CWC Women's Basketball program as they fall to LCCC in the first round of the Region IX tournament Saturday in Cheyenne, as the Rustlers fall 75-48 to the Eagles. 

 

The Rustlers have not had a good shooting performance in any of their previous matchups with LCCC and the shooting woes continued Saturday as the Rustlers shot only 27% on the night. "I don't know what it is about Laramie, we just can't find our shot. If you watch the game, they didn't take anything away. We had wide-open layups and 3's all night that just hit the rim over and over and over, and after a certain point that takes its toll," commented Coach Westmoreland.

 

Freshman Hadyn Collie ended with a double-double, 10 points, and 10 rebounds. Criselle Mendoza added 12 of her own with three 3's. Ivana Bijic contributed 9 points and 9 boards on the night. 

 

As the Rustlers look back on the 2022-2023, first-year head coach Layton Westmoreland focused on the positives. "Getting the job in June, starting recruiting in mid-late June, not signing your final position until August 1st, you know things will be tough. What we have said all year, Handle Hard Better, applies to me as well. Next year we will handle hard better, but we accomplished a lot this season. 3 students with 4.0 GPAs, multiple community service projects to better our community and get involved with Fremont County's youth, two players joining CWC's elite in the record books as well as earning spots in the Region's record books, I call this season a 'moral victory'." 

 

Freshman Criselle Mendoza made 70 3's on the season, which landed her the #3 spot in CWC women's basketball history on single-season 3's. All she has to do is meet that mark in her sophomore campaign and she will surpass Essy Latu (2018-2020) for all-time career 3's who is sitting at #1 with 139. Mendoza also holds the CWC record for most 3's in a game with 8 (vs Community Christian) which lands her in the #2 spot in all of Region IX history tied with Lisa Durden (2011-12) of WNCC. 

 

Sophomore Ivana Bijic also moved her way into the record books on the defensive side of the ball. With 21 recorded blocks this season, Ivana became #5 in single-season blocks for CWC and also finished #5 in career blocks for CWC with 32 blocks over her two seasons as a Rustler. 

 

Thank you for your support of the Lady Rustlers WBB program, we will see you all next season!