TORRINGTON – The Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) Lancers battled the Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) Cougars to a 35-35 tie following a physical first quarter at EWC on January 8. 

The Lancers captured the lead, 37-35, 50 seconds into the second half. WNCC responded with a 3-pointer, commencing an 11-point run. EWC briefly cut WNCC’s lead to two-possessions, 46-41, at 15 minutes before the Cougars went on a 6-point run.

WNCC maintained a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game to post the win, 88-73.

On Saturday, the Lancers squared off at home game against the Eastern All Stars, including EWC alumni. The Lancers dominated both halves to prevail, 116-71. 

Seven Lancers scored double digits against the Eastern All Stars led by sophomore Micah Glover with 21 points. Henos Fitwi netted 16 points, Rodrigo Sanchez 14, Makhiah Tarver and Khayree Rashed 12 apiece, Julius Crosby 11 and Nick KwoKam Ngomo 10.

“It was great to have EWC alumni back on campus for the Eastern All Stars game,” head coach Tom Andersen said. “It was a good game for us coming off break and it gave some good time for a lot of players. Versus WNCC, we had a good first half and in the second half, we just didn’t make enough shots and free throws to stay with them.”

WNCC

The Cougars controlled the scoreboard for the opening five minutes of regulation, establishing a 12-4 lead.

Crosby responded with a pair of 3-pointers. Freshman Jules Teboul broke through WNCC’s defense to score. 

Glover snapped up a steal, setting Crosby up to net a jumper and EWC matched WNCC in scoring, 14-14.

The Cougars regained the initiative before close-range shots from Ryan Aye and Tarver narrowed WNCC’s lead to a single point, 19-18. 

A 3-pointer by Aye placed EWC ahead for the first time, 21-19. Aye repeated his performance from outside the perimeter and the Lancers remained ahead, 24-21.

Taking possession, Glover netted a 3-pointer, widening the Lancers’ advantage, 27-21.

WNCC responded and pulled ahead, 29-27. Crosby found an opening in the perimeter to score and the game deadlocked, 29-29.

Teboul returned the initiative to EWC, 31-29, with a close-range shot. WNCC scored and the game reached another stalemate, 31-31. 

Glover grabbed a steal and Crosby netted a jumper, placing the Lancers ahead, 33-31. WNCC then tied the game at 33 points. 

With seconds remaining in the first half, defensive pressure by Crosby forced a turnover. Teboul picked up the ball and connected to Glover. As the buzzer sounded, Glover made a layup and the game tied, 35-35, as the teams headed for the locker room.

EWC led briefly in the second half, 37-35, following a close-range shot by Tarver. WNCC took control of the scoreboard with an 11-point run.

Points by Teboul, Crosby and Rashed made it a two-possession game, 46-41, at 15 minutes. The Cougars tossed in a pair of 3-pointers and expanded their lead to double digits for the remainder of regulation.

Glover led EWC in scoring against WNCC with 20 points. Crosby netted 19 points and Teboul went double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Glover posted five steals.