CHEYENNE – The Laramie County Community College women's basketball team held on against the Colorado Springs Ballers in a 74-70 win Friday at the RAC.
The Ballers came into the game with a high pace tempo and shot 43.1 percent from the field. The Golden Eagles hit 41 percent of their shots but were only 29.2 percent from 3-point territory.
Laramie County (7-3) won the rebound battle 38-35 with 11 coming on the offensive end. It outscored Colorado Springs 27-18 in the fourth quarter. The Golden Eagles won the turnover battle 19-18. The Ballers outscored the Golden Eagles in bench points 13-11.
Gabi O'Connor (Colorado Springs, Colorado) scored a career high 25 points for the second time this season to lead all scorers. Courtney Walker (Las Vegas, Nevada) led the team in rebounds with seven in the game and also scored 11 points. Karli O'Brien (Rapid City, South Dakota) scored 17 points while contributing six rebounds and three steals.
The Ballers raced out to 9-5 lead in the first quarter. LCCC responded with a 6-point run to take a 16-14 lead but the Ballers would take a 17-16 advantage after the first quarter. Colorado Springs scored the first six points of the second quarter to extend the lead. The Golden Eagles went on a 15-4 run to claim a four-point lead. The Ballers hit a bucket right before the half as the Golden Eagles led 31-29 at the break.
The Ballers took the advantage in the third with an explosive 23-point quarter where they led by as many as eight. LCCC found some offense and cut it down and trailed 52-47 after three quarters.
The Golden Eagles' shooting woes ended in the fourth quarter. They would go on to score 27-points in the quarter and take the lead for good with 1:14 remaining in the game. Free-throws down the stretch by Ja'Kia Wells (Mesquite, Texas) and O'Brien sealed the victory.
Laramie County concludes the LCCC Classic on Saturday with a rematch against Trinidad State Junior College. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the RAC.