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Western Texas College’s Jocelyn Jeffrey (23) drives against Rachel Poke of Murray State College during Friday’s Game at WTC gym. Jeffrey scored 23 points in the Lady Westerners’ 73-57 win on Friday.
Sophomore Jocelyn Jeffrey’s move from the perimeter to post and freshman Karli McCord’s play on the perimeter may pay dividends for the Western Texas College Lady Westerner basketball team in the long run.
Jeffrey and McCord combined for 41 points, including nine 3-pointers, in the Lady Westerners’ 73-57 victory over Murray State College Friday.
Jeffrey, who made 5-of-10 3-pointers, scored 23 points and had six rebounds. She had been primarily a perimeter player until recent games.
“Jocelyn has been one of our best scorers,” WTC head coach Darryl Davis said. “Teams had focused on trying to stop her from shooting the 3-pointer. She came out relaxed for this game and played well. Jocelyn is an unique player and knows how to play post and also go out to the perimeter. We’ve been working on moving her around, so teams can’t take away the 3-point shot.”
McCord came off the bench to score 18 points and had six rebounds.
“Karli is improving every game,” Davis said. “She is starting to realize that she can play college basketball.”
Sophomore point guard Jasmine Green added 12 points and sophomore Brittany Thompson had 18 rebounds. Jasmine Richardson and Toni Smith had 10 and nine rebounds, respectively.
“Brittany had a big game rebounding, along with Jasmine (Richardson) and Toni,” Davis said. “We went to a smaller lineup and told the guards that they must rebound and not depend on the posts to do it. I like our team when we have Jocelyn, Karli, Jasmine Green and Jasmine Richardson on the court. All four players can move and shoot well.”
The Lady Westerners (12-3) started the game by scoring the first six points. Murray State pulled to within one point before WTC used an 11-7 run to take a 17-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Lady Aggies trailed 27-21 late in the second quarter. But WTC used the shooting of Smith and Thompson, as well as a Jeffery 3-pointer, to build a 35-23 lead.
Murray State cut WTC’s lead to 37-28 at halftime.
The momentum shifted early in the third quarter. Murray State trailed 37-30 before a technical foul on head coach Justin Cellum sparked a 7-0 run by WTC. Jeffrey made two free throws and a 3-pointer while Green’s basket gave the Lady Westerners a 44-30 lead.
But the Lady Aggies cut the deficit to 47-38 late in the third quarter.
Jeffrey hit three 3-pointers during a 22-12 run to give WTC a 59-40 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Murray State pulled to within 66-57 with three minutes left, but the Lady Westerners finished the game on a 7-1 run.
“We played more consistent in this game than the past two games,” Davis said. “If we can keep playing that way, it will give us a better opportunity to win.”
Davis said he hopes the momentum will continue when the Lady Westerners resume play at Cisco Junior College on Jan. 2.
“Jasmine Green and Jasmine Richardson displayed a lot of leadership against Murray State,” Davis said. “Esther Udonsi did a great job against Amaka Nwakamma, who had a big offensive game when we played them in the first game.”
MSC 7 21 12 17—57
WTC 17 20 22 14—73
Murray State College scorers — Morgan Fletcher 15, Jordan Garner 13, Rachel Poke 8, Amaki Nwakamma 6, Mercy Agwaniru 4, Bailee Eldred 4, Shay Lynn Bass 4, Natalia Pushkareva 3.
Western Texas College scorers — Jocelyn Jeffrey 23, Karli McCord 18, Jasmine Green 12, Jasmine Richardson 9, Brittany Thompson 7, Toni Smith 4.
WTC statistics — Jasmine Green 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals; Jasmine Richardson 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal; Karli McCord 6 rebounds, 2 steals; Jocelyn Jeffrey 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal; Brittany Thompson 18 rebounds; Toni Smith 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Esther Udonsi 5 rebounds, 1 assist.