Women's Basketball Finishes 2-0 in Pronghorn Winter Classic

Gillette, WY– The Gillette College Pronghorns delivered a commanding performance capturing two decisive victories over Colorado Northwestern Community College and United Tribes Technical College. Both wins reflect the Pronghorns' continued growth and determination as they strive for excellence in their season.

From the tip-off on Friday, the Pronghorns showcased a fierce defense, disrupting Colorado Northwestern's rhythm and dominating both ends of the court. With an impressive shooting performance of 39.7% from the field and an even better 39.1% from beyond the arc, the Pronghorns established an early lead they never relinquished.

Marija Marinkovic led the charge for Gillette College, scoring 15 points while going 5-of-7 from the field and 3-of-4 from long range. Her sharpshooting ability not only set the tone for the Pronghorns but also energized the crowd at the Pronghorn Center. Following closely, Rochelle Afo-Manuma and Dasani Nesbit contributed 13 points each, with Afo-Manuma grabbing 6 rebounds and Nesbit adding 6 rebounds of her own.

Arna Bright and Andrea Martin also played pivotal roles in the win. Bright displayed her all-around game with 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while Martin contributed 9 points to the team's impressive total.

"We executed our game plan really well today," said head coach Liz Lewis. "Defense was key, and our offensive ball movement allowed us to create open shots. I'm proud of how our players worked together and supported each other on the court."

The Pronghorns demonstrated continuous teamwork throughout the game, culminating in a significant 51-23 advantage on the boards. The bench also made an impactful contribution, with Kinsey Plewe adding 9 points and Danae Asiata contributing 7 points off the bench.

Against UTTC on Saturday, the Pronghorns took control of the game with aggressive defense and offense. They shot an impressive 47.1% from the field while sinking 41.7% of their three-point attempts, converting 10 of 24 shots from beyond the arc. This efficiency, combined with their 20 assists, led to a commanding lead that United Tribes could not overcome.

Marija Marinkovic led the charge again for the Pronghorns, scoring 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting and connecting on 2-of-6 three-pointers. Her ability to find open shots and create offensive opportunities set the tone for the game. Rochelle Afo-Manuma was a force on the boards, posting a double-digit rebounding total with 12 while also adding 14 points.

Dasani Nesbit contributed significantly with 11 points and 7 assists, orchestrating the Pronghorns' offensive flow, while Arna Bright and Andrea Martin each added a solid 8 points to the team's total.

The bench also played an important role, providing valuable contributions to secure the win. Kenlee Engelhardt added 7 points, while Presley Crawley and Abbie Nickell provided 4 and 5 points respectively, effectively maintaining the Pronghorns' momentum throughout the game.

The Pronghorns will attend the Thanksgiving Classic at Laramie County Community College on November 29^th-30^th. They will play Trinidad State Junior College and Otero College.