The 24th-renked Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team put four in double figures and everyone scored in posting a 107-59 win over the Hastings College junior varsity in action Monday evening at Cougar Palace.
It was WNCC's 10th straight victory after having 10 days off between games. The win pushes the Cougars to 17-2 on the season with two road, South Division games against Trinidad State and Otero this weekend.
While the team exploded offensively, they players know they could have played better since Hastings JV scored 59 points, 30 of which came from 5-foot4 freshman Amaun Frazier of Omaha. Frazier buried three treys and was 9 of 9 from the free throw line.
"It feels good to be back since it has been a while that we haven't had a game," Rakovic said. "I think we played good on offense in scoring more than a 100. But the defense is still not our best because we need to stop the ball and box out better. We have to get better in that area."
But, when the defense was at its best, then it generated the Cougars offense. That is the thing the team has to do, play tough defense longer to get transition buckets.
"That is true [that the defense generates offense] but we have to be a lot better. We want to be a better team every day. They almost had 60 points and we have to play better defense. We have to be complete more."
WNCC, however, was just as impressive offensively on the night. With four players in double figures and a night where they shot 53 percent and pulled down 53 rebounds, it wasn't bad for having 10 days off.
Rakovic led WNCC with 19 points, 11 of which came in the first quarter. Rakovic also pulled down nine boards and had three steals.
Also netting double figures was Kalli Feddersen and Bree Paulson each with 12 points followed by Luize Skrastina with 11 points.
Rakovic said it was nice to see everyone score in the game.
"I don't think we have selfish players," she said. "That is so good for this team. We always play together and find that extra pass to someone open who can score."
There was only one lead change in the contest. Hastings' Emily Thorp scored the first bucket of the game. After that WNCC went on a 17-0 run behind nine points from Rakovic to lead 17-2. Hastings didn't quit as they cut the lead to 10, 25-15 on a 3-pointers and trailed 29-17 after the first quarter.
The second quarter was pretty even. WNCC built a 39-25 lead only to watch Hastings sliced the lead to 10 points. However, the Broncos never could get the lead to single digits as Zeynep Canbaz and Skrastina closed out the half with buckets and a 49-33 WNCC lead.
While WNCC's defense allowed 33 points in the first half, the Cougars patented D was even more lethal in the second half, holding the Lady Broncos to nine third quarter points and 26 all together in the second half.
WNCC heated up in the second half, scoring 58 points and sharing the ball well as the defense led to easy transition buckets.
WNCC opened up the second half on a 7-0 run for a 56-33 lead. WNCC led 66-37 and then went on a 12-3 run to close out the third behind seven points from Myriam Garcia for a 78-42 lead.
WNCC scored 31 points in the final 10-minute quarter, hitting the century mark on two free throws by Kylie Hager at 100-56.
WNCC's offensive punch was evident as they shot 25 of 33 from the free throw line for 76 percent. Feddersen was a perfect 8 of 8 while Paulson was 8 of 9. Hasints also shot well from the charity stripe, connecting on 21 of 25 for 84 percent.
Rebounding, was the big difference with the Cougars holding a 53-30 edge. After Rakovic's nine boards, Feddersen and Garcia each had eight, and Pualson had six.
WNCC also shared the ball with 20 assists. Feddersen and Canbaz each had four assists, followed by three each from Yarga and Paulson.
Rakovic said the team will know go on the road for four straight games and this weekend's contest will be tough. They have to be ready.
"It is two big games [this weekend] and we have to work," she said. "We just have to go and compete and go on the floor and give our best. When we play our game, like coach said, we are so good."
Hastings JV 17 16 9 17 – 59
WNCC (17-2) 29 20 29 29 – 107
HASTINGS JV
Amaun Frazier 30, Maira Van Kirk 12, Jennifer Callahan 2, Emily Thorp 8, Kaitlynn Harvey 2, Jenny Lawyer 5.
WNCC
Kalli Feddersen 12, Sladjana Rakovic 19, Hannah Sparks 6, Ozge Yarga 5, Kylie Hager 4, Luize Skrastina 11, Oleida DeLeon 7, Zeynep Canbaz 8, Bree Paulson 12, Rylee Ward 8, Mikayla Gonzales 6, Myriam Garcia 9.