Lady Indians to take on No. 16 Casper Thursday in tournament

The McCook Community College women's basketball team continues post-season play as the second round of the Region IX Tournament resumes in Casper, Wyo.

The MCC women, won their Friday play-in game over Lamar 48-42. The Lady Indians (17-14) were the Region IX south's fourth-seeded team among six teams. Lamar was the fifth seed. On Thursday MCC will take on the north's top seed Casper on their home court, Swede Erickson Gym. That will be the final game of the day with tipoff is set for 8 p.m. (CT). The T-Birds are ranked No. 16 in the latest NJCAA Top 25 poll.

In other play-in results from Friday in the south region, Western Nebraska downed Trinidad State 100-51. In the north, Eastern Wyoming downed Laramie County Community College 72-66 and Gillette was an 85-68 winner over Northwest College.

Western Nebraska (25-6) will play Western Wyoming (14-16) in the first quarterfinal of the day Thursday at 1:30 p.m. (CT). The Cougars were the third seed in the south while Western Wyoming was the second seed. Gillette College (16-16) the north's fourth seed will take on the top seed in the south, No. 19 Northeastern Junior College (27-3) at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Wyoming (15-15) the north's third seed plays the south's second seed Otero Junior College (13-16) at 6 p.m.

The Lady Indians faced Casper in the Hobbs, N.M. classic Dec. 17 and lost to the T-Birds 74-39.

Friday's semifinal games are at 6 and 8 p.m. with the championship game to tipoff at 5 p.m. Saturday.

WOMEN'S REGION IX TOURNAMENT
FRIDAY'S FIRST-ROUND GAMES (South)
     McCook 48, Lamar CC 43 (at McCook)
     Western Nebraska 100, Trinidad State 51 (at Scottsbluff)
FRIDAY'S FIRST-ROUND GAMES (North)
     Eastern Wyo. 72, Laramie County 66 (at Torrington, Wyo.)
     Gillette 85, Northwest College 68 (at Gillette)

NEXT ROUNDS at Casper, Wyo. Thursday-Saturday
THURSDAY'S QUARTERFINALS (Seeding, record, time)
     Western Nebraska (S3, 25-6) vs Western Wyoming (N2, 14-16) 1:30 p.m. (CT)
     Gillette College (N6, 16-16) vs. Northeastern Junior College (S1, 27-3), 3:30 p.m.
     Eastern Wyoming (N3, 15-15) vs. Otero Junior College (S2, 13-16), 6 p.m.
     McCook CC (S4, 17-14) vs Casper College (N1, 25-5), 6 p.m. (CT)

FRIDAY'S SEMIFINAL GAMES
     Western Nebraska/Western Wyoming winner vs. Gillette/Northeastern JC winner, 6 p.m.
     Eastern Wyoming/Otero winner vs. McCook/Casper winner, 8 p.m.
SATURDAY GAME
     Championship game, 5 p.m. (CT)