Lady Trojans Clamp Down on Independence for Commanding Conference Win

The Colby Community College Lady Trojans opened KJCCC play with a dominant defensive showing on Wednesday night, defeating Independence Community College 57–24 inside the Colby Event Center. The victory pushes Colby to 4–3 on the season and 1–0 in conference action.

Colby controlled the game from the opening tip, holding the Pirates to just five first-quarter points and building an 8–5 lead. The Lady Trojans exploded in the second quarter with a 20–6 surge, stretching their advantage to 28–11 by halftime. Independence never found offensive traction, finishing with single-digit scoring in every quarter.

For Head Coach Darin Spence, the win was a reflection of a team that has been forced to grow quickly.

“Our short-handed group has been growing and improving daily through the injury bug,” Spence said. “Freshman point guards Logan Nolan and Paishintz Booker have stepped up in the absence of Piri Lewis and Olivia Hultgren. It’s great to see their development and how they settled in and helped run our team.”

Both freshmen played crucial minutes, combining for 10 points, six assists, and steady ball-handling throughout the night.

Dessirae Ulmer powered the Colby offense with the breakout performance her coaches had been waiting for—finishing with a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double on 8-of-15 shooting. Her presence in the lane anchored both sides of the floor.

“Dessirae had the game we’ve been waiting for,” Spence said. “That’s how she needs to play every game for us.”

Jera Kruleski added 13 points, hitting two threes, while Easha Potts and Elia Ando delivered strong bench minutes—Potts with seven points and six boards, Ando with six points and three rebounds. Nolan chipped in six points and led the team with four assists.

Colby shot 42.3 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line while winning the rebounding battle 31–25. The Lady Trojans’ defense was the story of the night—forcing 23 turnovers, allowing just 20.5 percent shooting, and limiting the Pirates to 2-of-11 from beyond the arc.

“Our identity is always our defensive play and that has to show up every game,” Spence said. “This league is so strong and we never have a night off with the level of competition. We need to keep growing and competing each day.”

The Lady Trojans are hoping to return guards Olivia Hultgren and Piri Lewis to the rotation as early as next week, which would significantly deepen a young roster that has been asked to mature quickly.

With momentum now building, Colby turns its attention to a tough road matchup against Seward County, a high-powered 6–1 squad averaging more than 87 points per game. It marks the next test in what Spence described as one of the strongest, most competitive leagues in the nation.