Carlson, Dissen lead inside charge for Cowgirls

By Richard Anderson
Wyoming Sports.org

The Wyoming Cowgirls fought fire with fire on Saturday.

Going into the game, Wyoming coach Joe Legerski was a little concerned with San Francisco’s inside presence, particularly from 6-foot senior Necolia Simmons.

So Legerski and the Cowgirls took it to San Francisco, pounding the Dons 82-60 to close their non-conference season with a big plus.

Leading the way for the Cowgirls inside were 6-3 sophomore Hillary Carlson and 6-1 senior Elisabeth Dissen.

Carlson scored a career-high 22 points, while grabbing six rebounds, while Dissen added 12 points and three rebounds.

Carlson, who was 7-of-9 from the field in the game and 8-of-8 from the free-throw line, came off the bench in the first half and scored 11 points to spark Wyoming on a 24-12 run for a 14-point advantage.

“It feels good to have a good game,” Carlson said. “I’m trying to be more aggressive and play stronger than I have been.”

The Cowgirls had a big advantage underneath, outscoring San Francisco 42-16 inside the paint.

“I thought we did a great job of getting the ball inside. None more importantly than seeing Hillary getting five offensive rebounds. When Hillary gets the offensive rebound, you can count the basket,” Legerski said. “She is playing stronger all of the time.”

Add their numbers up and Carlson and Dissen combined to score 34 points and grab nine rebounds. Dissen played 17 minutes and Carlson 20 from the five position.

“Our game is becoming more well-rounded,” Dissen said. “I think it is something that we have worked really hard on. Coach told me and Hill at the beginning of the season that he wanted us to combine for a double-double in the five position. I think it is something that we have worked really hard on between the two us, getting the rebounds and getting the points.”

Wyoming senior forward Megan McGuffey, who had plenty of good moves to the basket to give her a season high 22 points, said the Cowgirls showed a strong all-around game.

“I think with our inside game, it opens up the perimeter so much more and we have open shots,” McGuffey said. “We don’t go into the halftime leading much, importunately this season,. It feels great to have that lead at halftime; we’re real comfortable out there. With Hillary and Elisabeth down low, we have confidence there.”

Legerski said the game was decided on the inside.

Both Elisabeth and Hillary played against Simmons, a very talented post player," he said. “They were able to try to limit what she was able to do and yet they scored on the inside for us. Take a look at post kids -- 34 points and nine rebounds just a tremendous effort from Elisabeth and Hillary.”