Eastern Wyoming College may have pulled off the biggest win in junior college hoops last week. EWC knocked off unbeaten and top-ranked Western Nebraska 66-54 on Monday night in Torrington.

"It was a big win for us," said head coach Andy Ward. "It was a big win because they were number one, but it was also huge for us because it has a bearing on whether we make our regional tournament. Our region is divided into sub-regions and the way it works out, somebody is going to stay home. It was a critical win for us."

The win put EWC at 14-and-10 on the season. It also gave them a split of the season series with their rival.

"What a lot of people don't realize is this is a pretty big rivalry over the years," Ward said. "The two schools are only seperated by 30 miles and we've developed quite a rivalry."

The star for the Lancers this season has undoubtedly been Matt Lojeski. The sophomore is averaging 16.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. He signed with Hawaii in November.

"He was the leading scorer at the national tournament last year," Ward said. "He's quite a player."

But the emergence of freshman McCade Olsen has been the biggest positive for the Lancers. Olsen led EWC with 20 points and six boards in the win over Western Nebraska. For the season, the 6-foot-8 forward from Salt Lake City is averaging just more than 11 points a game and shooting 56% from the floor.

"He scores in a variety of ways," Ward said. "He can shoot the three, he can score on the block, can score in transitiont. He's a long, athletic kid that just moves really well."

The Division One recruiters should be back at EWC in the Class of 2006.