Pronghorn women roll past Laramie County for 19th win of the season
By PRESTON ZBROSZCZYK NEWS RECORD SPORTS EDITOR preston@gillettenewsrecord.net
Coming off a loss to Northwest College and losing another player to an injury during the week, Liz Lewis and the Pronghorn women needed a win like never before.
And they got the job done, beating Laramie County Community College 73-41 Saturday afternoon.
It was a close race through the first quarter, and as the second quarter was underway. Gillette College led 26-23 with 2:05 in the second quarter, but a Rochelle Afo-Manuma and-one started a 7-0 run, and at halftime, the Pronghorns led 33-23.
Four players scored in double figures. Afo-Manuma had a game-high 23 points, Kiyarra Williams scored 10, Lina Ballin had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, and Georgina Sosa Sio scored 11 points and made four big three-pointers.
"We just focused on us and making sure we played our game," Afo-Manuma said. "We have a mentality as a team, sometimes you, sometimes me, but always us. Even when my teammate picks it up, or I pick it up, it is always a win for all of us."
Gillette College is now 19-9 on the season, and they have a 7-3 region in Region IX North. With two games left, including one more at home, the Pronghorns are looking to make it back-to-back 20-win seasons.
Although losing Meghna Vinodhram hurts, the team did get back Azali Alvarado, a freshman forward who had been dealing with injuries all season and wasn't cleared to return.
But after catching up on her conditioning, she gave Lewis seven minutes of play Saturday, and she could be a big piece off the bench during the postseason.
With Vinodhram out, the rotation tightens, and other players need to step up. Sosa Sio did just that Saturday. She went four of eight from the three-point line, while the rest of the team made just two.
It's been an up-and-down season for the 35% three-point shooter, who in her last four games had gone 4-for-19 from beyond the arc. But her shots were falling Saturday."We play together, and we share the ball; it's easier to get the three," Sosa Sio said. "Obviously, when the ball goes in, my confidence is higher, and it brings energy to the team."
On Wednesday, Gillette College will host Eastern Wyoming for sophomore night and the regular season home finale.
