The Odessa College Lady Wranglers took a big step toward turning their season around Thursday with a 66-57 victory over second-ranked New Mexico Junior College in Western Junior College Athletic Conference action at the OC Sports Center.

The Lady Wranglers (14-7 overall, 2-5 WJCAC) had lost three in a row and five of six in conference play, falling out of the NJCAA Division I rankings in the process. They turned things around enough to hand the Thunderbirds (21-1, 5-1) their first loss of the season, and it wasn't really that close.

Odessa College took the lead for good at 6-4 on Amanda Soderqvist's second 3-pointer just 2:09 into the game and maintained a double-digit lead from early in the second quarter until the final minute. The Lady Wranglers led by as much as 22 points in the third quarter — going ahead 51-29 on a free throw by Leticia Soares with 8:36 left in the period — and were up 14 with four minutes to go.

Chinna Fair led Odessa College with 17 points, while Tanaka Gapare added 15 and Shannon Dozier had 12. Kassie Ybarra came off the bench with 11 points.

"Getting the W tonight meant a lot," Fair said. "We've been on a downslide, but getting this win, playing against the other team, we knew we would have to play strong and play our game. This was a chance to get back on top and start playing how we play."

Alexes Bryant and Ni'Asia McIntosh each scored 14 points for NMJC, with Tatiana Wright scoring 10.

Odessa College coach Ara Baten said the big difference was the Lady Wranglers' 58-35 rebounding advantage. The Thunderbirds came in averaging 43 rebounds per game and were out rebounding opponents by more than 10 per game. Gapare grabbed a game-high 19 rebounds and Soares added 18 as Odessa College controlled the boards all night.

"They have a great rebounding team," Baten said. For us to be able to rebound the ball like that against that team is outstanding."

Odessa College also heated up from 3-point range, finishing 13 of 27 after making 9 of 16 in the first half. Fair and Dozier each hit four 3-pointers and Ybarra had three.

"These kids are good players and they were due to have a night where they shot the ball well," Baten said. "We've had so many nights where we haven't.

"I'm happy for our kids. It was nice to see them have success and play with energy. They're great kids. I'm just thrilled for them."

Ybarra said the Lady Wranglers had a different mindset Thursday than in their previous few games.

"We were in slump and we knew we had to come back," she said. "Since New Mexico's No. 2 in the nation and were undefeated, we had to come get the W. We had to keep our heads high and push each other in practice.

"It was a really good win. I was excited and happy."

Article by Sam Waller

Photo by Jacob Ford