SCOTTSBLUFF – The Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) Lady Lancers advanced to the quarterfinals in the NJCAA Region IX playoffs to take on Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) at the Cougar Palace on Thursday, March 13.

The first three quarters were neck-and-neck with the lead frequently switching hands and EWC led by one point at halftime, 23-22. 

WNCC ultimately pulled up by eight points in the fourth quarter to post the win, 65-55, and advance to the semifinals.

EWC’s 2024-2025 season ended at the tournament with the Lady Lancers posting a 15-17 overall record and a 4-8 conference record. EWC captured nine home victories during the course of the season.

A neck-and-neck first quarter between EWC and WNCC on Thursday found the Lady Cougars ahead by one possession, 15-13.

The Lady Lancers responded in the second quarter to top WNCC in scoring, 10-7, and take the lead at halftime, 23-22.

The back-and-forth continued in the third quarter with WNCC pulling up by one possession, 40-38, at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

The final 10 minutes of regulation proved decisive for the Lady Cougars with WNCC outmaneuvering EWC by a 25-17 margin to clinch the win.

Two Lady Lancers finished the game against WNCC with double-digit scoring, led by sophomore Leamsi Acuna at 19 points and freshman Yaiza Paredes with 11. 

Sophomore Nikolina Vukcevic collected eight points, freshman Ariadna Martinez six, sophomore Aliya Tripp five, sophomore Boden Liljedahl four and sophomore Tawny Rodriguez two.

Paredes led on the boards with seven rebounds while Martinez pulled down six and Acuna five.

Paredes delivered two assists and reached up for two blocks. Martinez, Paredes, Liljedahl, freshman Rhia Saggar and sophomore Josephine Vourliotis each grabbed one steal.