TORRINGTON, WY – It was a night of celebration and heart on the hardwood as Eastern Wyoming College honored its sophomores on Saturday evening during their final home game of the season. The Lancers battled into overtime before falling to the visiting Gillette Pronghorns, 91-83.
The Lancer community recognized four standout sophomores for their contributions both on and off the court: Khayree Rashed, Student Body President from Phoenix, Arizona; Rodrigo Sanchez, a power forward from Madrid, Spain; Bilal Cisse, a transfer from New York City; and Ryan Aye, a guard from Paris, France.
Despite the tough loss, the evening was filled with highlights. The Lancers showed resilience and grit, pushing the game into overtime after Alain Nziza sank a clutch runner in the lane to tie the game at 75 with just 38 seconds remaining in regulation. Gillette missed their chance at a game-winner in the closing seconds, and the teams headed into the extra period knotted up.
Gillette came out strong in overtime, quickly building a five-point lead and holding off the Lancers down the stretch. The Pronghorns were sharp from beyond the arc all evening, connecting on 11 of 30 three-point attempts.
The Lancers were led by a trio of high scorers: Jumarion Weh posted 19 points, Jaironn Speights added 18, and Alain Nziza chipped in 17. However, shooting woes plagued the Lancers, who finished the night hitting just 39% from the field.
With under three minutes to go in regulation, EWC held a narrow 73-72 lead. The score remained unchanged until Gillette drilled a go-ahead three-pointer from the left wing in the final minute. Nziza’s late bucket forced overtime, but the Lancers couldn’t recapture the lead in the extra frame.
Despite the loss, the night was a meaningful sendoff for EWC’s sophomores, who have left a lasting impact on the program and the community.
For more information, please contact:
Brad Staman, Media Relations Coordinator, 307-532-8206, bstaman@ewc.wy.edu
Bill Engel, Head Men's Basketball Coach, 701-789-1699, bengel@ewc.wy.edu