Northeastern Junior College falls 82-72 at Western Nebraska in conference opener

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Northeastern Junior College battled rival Western Nebraska to the final minutes in its first conference game of the season but came up short in an 82-72 road loss Saturday night.

The Plainswomen opened with energy, controlling the tempo for the first five minutes and matching Western Nebraska shot for shot. However, a late first-quarter surge by the Cougars flipped the momentum, as Western Nebraska closed the frame on an extended run to build an eight-point lead. That cushion proved critical, with NJC spending the rest of the night playing from behind despite several pushes.

NJC tightened its defense in the second quarter, cutting down on transition opportunities and cleaning the glass to stay within striking distance. The Plainswomen repeatedly chipped away at the deficit, using disciplined half-court execution to create quality looks. By halftime and into the third quarter, Northeastern’s offense found a consistent rhythm, bringing the margin down to two points on multiple occasions before Western Nebraska answered with timely baskets.

Guard Madison Sepeda led the Northeastern attack with 24 points and four assists, providing steady scoring on the perimeter and key playmaking in the half court. Forward Daniela Garcia Gasco delivered a standout all-around performance with 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, giving the Plainswomen a strong interior presence and facilitating offense from the high post. Monique Sena added 12 points and six rebounds, contributing on the boards and as a secondary scoring option.

Each time NJC closed the gap to a single possession in the second half, Western Nebraska responded, often capitalizing on defensive stops and second-chance opportunities. The Plainswomen continued to pressure defensively, contesting shots and battling on the glass, but were unable to secure the key string of stops needed to overtake the Cougars in the fourth quarter. Late free throws and a final offensive spurt by Western Nebraska sealed the 10-point margin.

Despite the loss, the performance provided promising signs for Northeastern in its conference opener. The Plainswomen remained competitive on the road against a rival, received significant production from multiple players and demonstrated the ability to rally after falling behind early. With the first league test complete, Northeastern will look to build on the effort, tighten late-game execution and turn similar close contests into wins as conference play continues.