WNCC shot 29 percent from the field and just 13 percent (2 of 15) from 3-point range in suffering their second straight defeat 60-56 to Otero at Cougar Palace. The Cougar women have now lost three of their last four games.

“We have been going through a shooting slump that we haven’t really bounced back from,” Hemingford’s Shelby Campbell said. “But, I feel once we build our momentum then we will be back on track. We need to stop penetration on defense and get more boards. It’s the small stuff that makes a difference.”

Saturday night, it definitely was as the small stuff. The Cougars were out-rebounded 50-43 and were outscored from the bench 27-19. The Cougars also made just 20 of 35 free throws compared to Otero’s blistering shooting of 79 percent (22 of 28).

The Cougars, after being down 35-21 at halftime, made another run in the second half. The Cougars went on an 8-0 run early and then a 14-8 run to cut the lead to 44-48 on a Carolina Alves bucket. Otero kept playing strong pushing the lead back to six points 53-47 with five minutes to play.

WNCC fought back as Yuki Morimoto drained a 3-pointer and then a bucket by Stormye Everett with 1:35 game the Cougars their first lead at 55-54 since the 12 minutes mark of the first half.

The lead wouldn’t hold up as the Rattlers went on a 5-0 run to push the score to 59-54 with 18 seconds to play. Campbell made 1 of 2 free throws to bring the score back to 3 points, but Otero’s Angie Andenucio converted 1 of 2 free throws to seal the contest.

WNCC had just two in double figures. Everett finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Morimoto had 12 points.

Otero had just one player in double figures, but saw 10 different players reach the scoring column. Kari Ameling finished with a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Ameling was also a perfect 6 of 6 from the charity stripe.

WNCC, 16-5, will look to snap out of their offensive woes when they travel to North Platte Community College on Friday followed by a sub-region contest against McCook Community College on Saturday.

Otero (16-5) 35 25 – 60

WNCC (16-5) 21 35 – 56

OTERO JUNIOR COLLEGE

Rose Harvey-Akes 8, Angie Andenucio 5, Shannon Rousseau 8, Chelsea Rotondo 7, Ashley Jelly 5, Tracy Fosterling 5, Kaitlyn 2, Christian Anderson 2, Kari Ameling 16, Melinda Perry 2.

WESTERN NEBRASKA

Amber Kistler 5, Stormye Everett 18, Shelby Campbell 4, Yuki Morimoto 12, Ariane Brown 2, Tiffany Moorer 2, Carolina Alves 2, Michelle Glaze 1, Khayla Gladney 6.