BIG SPRING — The Western Texas College Lady Westerners lost in overtime to Howard College 76-75 in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference basketball opener Saturday.
Howard College controlled the tempo in the first half by building a 21-13 first-quarter lead and 38-28 halftime lead. WTC cut the deficit to 53-48 going into the fourth quarter.
WTC’s Ashlan Smith forced overtime with a free throw with two seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 66-66.
Monique Ware’s field goal gave WTC a 68-66 lead with 4:15 remaining in overtime. After Howard tied the game at 68-68, Marta Casas Gimenez’ 3-pointer gave WTC a 71-68 lead with 3:28 left.
Howard scored eight straight points to take a 76-71 with 41 seconds remaining. Corbriyana Wingfield made two free throws and Keiarra Rivers scored with two seconds left, but WTC could not get any closer.
Ware scored 16 points while Gimenez had 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Smith finished with 10 points. Jasmine Tinnell had nine rebounds and four blocked shots.
WTC (4-5, 0-1) will play Arizona Western College at the Fleck Classic Dec. 31.
WTC scorers — Monique Ware 16, Marta Casas Gimenez 12, Ashlan Smith 10, Brooke McGee 9, Rachel Clifton 9, Morgan Dial 8, Keiarra Rivers 6, Jasmine Tinnell 3, Corbriyana Wingfield 2.
Men
WTC could not overcome a sub-par first half in a 75-50 loss to Howard College.
WTC made 4-of-27 field goals in the first half and trailed 43-11. The Westerners outscored Howard 39-32 in the second half.
Nigel Allen scored 14 points while Jevon Brown had nine rebounds and two steals. James Edwards and Carson Hammonds each had two steals. Leland Kirkendoll finished with two assists.
WTC (5-4, 0-1) will host the University of the Southwest JV at 6:30 p.m. today.
WTC scorers — Nigel Allen 14, Jevon Brown 9, Leland Kirkendoll 8, Johnnie Jones 4, Frederic Bikoi Yana 4, Carson Hammond 3, Sindou Dialio 3, Deshawn Kelly 3, James Edwards 2.