TORRINGTON, Wyo. – the Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team snapped a 2-game losing streak in picking up a 93-84 South Sub-Region win over Eastern Wyoming College Thursday night.
The Cougars, in picking up their 11th win of the season, got the win with balanced scoring and timely free throws. WNCC was 29 of 43 from the charity stripe while the Lancers were just 16 of 23.
WNCC coach Russ Beck was proud of the way his team battled and never lost sight of the win.
"It was a classic border war game. EWC was physical and so scrappy and you have to give them a lot of credit," he said. "Proud of our guys. We did a better job at the free throw line and found a way to attack their zone.
"It was nice to get the monkey off our back and back in the win column. We like that feeling so now we need some quick turnarounds with a game Saturday at Dawson and then Casper at home on Monday. We are learning and growing. That's what life is about and we will peak at the right time."
The game, however, wasn't decided until the waning minutes as both teams fought hard. WNCC held a 25-18 lead in the first half and led 31-26 on a Chase Mason 3-ponter. After that, the Lancers connected on plenty of treys themselves, tying the game at 35 on a 3-pointer and then taking the lead 41-38 on an offensive putback from Cedric Collinge. EWC led 41-40 at halftime.
The second half was back and forth as the Lancers built a 52-44 lead on a Grant Olsson 3-pointer only to watch the Cougars going on a 20-6 run to grab a 64-58 lead behind inside play from Phil Fayne.
The Lancers came back to slice the lead to 64-62 and later trailed by one, 75-74 on a Chris Oseittutu bucket.
WNCC picked up the offense after that, going on a 18-10 run behind clutch free throw shooting and big defensive rebounds to get the win.
WNCC had three players in double figures, led by Michael Connor with 23 followed by Michael Sparks with 17 and Mason Smith with 16, Phil Fayne also pitched in 12 points.
The Lancers had five in double figures. Grant Olson and Peter Skoknic each had 17, while Hunter Johnson had 14. The Lancers also got 11 points each from Chris Oseittutu and Cedric Collinge.
WNCC (11-7) 40 53 – 93
EWC 41 43 – 84
WNCC
Draylon Harris 9, Mason Smith 16, RJ Palmer 5, Michael Sparks 17, Bo McVay 3, Derrick Bowers 2, Chase Mason 5, Phil Fayne 12, Michael Connor 23.
EWC
Dashawn Benson 7, Chris Oseittutu 11, Grant Olsson 17, Cedric Collinge 11, Hunter Johnson 14, Jace Johnson 5, Peter Skoknic 17, Dustin Gatzki 2.