NDSCS Wildcats Crush Cougars in District Championship, 72-44

In their pursuit of the sixth National Tournament appearance for NDSCS Women’s Basketball in 47 years, the Wildcats were slated to face the Highland Cougars out of Freeport Illinois in the North Central District Championship. Of the 16 Districts encompassing NJCAA DI Women’s Basketball, only three have a cross-region District play-in game for the National Tournament. The North Central District is comprised of Regions IV and XIII, thus the champions of each of these Regions must face off to punch their ticket to the National Tournament. 

Because of the cross-region play-in game, Regions IV and XIII alternate host sites annually. This year IV hosted XIII, so the Wildcats hopped on a bus and made the eight and a half hour drive to Highland Community College.

Box Score - Highland Cougar fans turned out in droves to fill the stands with blue and orange for the District Championship Game. Both teams entered with impressive 20 plus win records, NDSCS (29-2) Highland CC (21-6), but the Wildcats were favored to win from the start. Quicker guards, a deeper bench, more efficient posts, lock down defense, and the best 3-point shooting team in the country; Highland didn’t stand a chance.

The Wildcat’s defense held the Cougar’s scoring to a minimum. The Cougars were only able to score 20 points in the first half compared to the Wildcat’s 37. To start the third quarter NDSCS held Highland scoreless for the first three and half minutes and only allowed the Cougars three points in the first five minutes. NDSCS maintained their dominance through the fourth quarter and held Highland scoreless again for the final four minutes of the game. The Wildcat’s defense just wouldn’t allow the Cougars to find the basket. NDSCS came out on top, 72-44, and punched their ticket to the NJCAA DI Women’s Basketball Tournament for only the sixth time in program history.

Four Wildcats scored in double figures, including Ivane Tensaie (Roseville, MN) who led all scorers with 18 points and contributed 8 assists. Arthel Massaquoi (Minneapolis, MN), Ambah Kowcun (Adelaide, Australia), and Laurie Cren (Pollestres, France) each added 15, 13, and 10 points respectively. Massaquoi also pulled down 8 rebounds while Maile Hunt (Highland, UT) grabbed 7. Kowcun contributed 8 assists and 8 rebounds in addition to her 13 points.