In a compelling start to the regular season, the Gillette College women's basketball team delivered a solid victory against the Colorado Northwestern Community College Spartans with a final score of 69-45. The game, held on November 2, 2024, in Rangely, CO, showcased the Pronghorns' resilience from the outset, allowing them to start their season on a high note.
By halftime, the Pronghorns had built a significant lead, 35-19, over the Spartans. The game continued to tilt in Gillette College's favor, powered by a well-coordinated team effort. Five players, including Dasani Nesbit, Malena Edwards, Danae Asiata, Arna Bright, and Rochelle Afo-Manuma, each contributed 12 points in this balanced scoring attack with the team shooting 48.1% from the field and 37.5% from the 3-point line.
Arna Bright's all-around performance was particularly noteworthy, contributing 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. Other notable contributions included Danae Asiata, with 12 points and 8 rebounds, Dasani Nesbit, with 12 points and 7 rebounds, and Rochelle Afo-Manuma, who also added 3 steals to her 12-point haul. The Pronghorns capitalized on their defensive efforts, causing 20 CNCC turnovers leading to 35 points for the Pronghorns.
Reflecting on the game, Coach Liz Lewis emphasized the need for improvement despite the strong start. "For the first game of the season, I thought we did some good things. We need to do a better job of not being frantic. This was a good game to work out some nerves and get a good idea of what we need to improve on going forward. One of the improvements that will become a focus is controlling the pace of the game and playing our game. It was a solid start, and we were happy with the potential that we see in this group."
Looking ahead, the Pronghorns will face the Miles Community College Pioneers on November 8, at the Centra Gymnasium in Miles City, MT. The tip-off is set for 5:00 PM.
