The Cougars, in picking up their 10th win of the season, was challenged by head coach Russ Beck to hold their opponent to 50 points or less. They not only did that, but they put up 85 points themselves and all 10 players suited up scored.
"They scored 27 points in the first half and only 23 in the second half and I told the guys that typically as teams start to wear down, they will score more in the second half. But every guy for our team really got after it and our team defense was pretty good."
The one thing that the Cougars did well for a second straight game was limit their turnovers. Against Mineral Area on Tuesday, the team committed just 11. Against Olive-Harvey, the Cougars had just 12 turnovers.
"They took care of the ball for the second night in a row," Beck said. "But, we didn't shoot great from the free throw line -- we were 16 of 25 -- and that is something we will have to correct for us to have a chance to win tomorrow."
WNCC vaulted out to a 50-27 halftime lead and received plenty of support from all 10 players on the team.
Francisco Cruz paced the Cougars for a second straight night, finishing with 19 points, including four 3-pointers. Geddes Robinson also pitched in 16 points, while O'Rion Hughes had 12 points.
WNCC will look to finish off the 2009 with a bang when they take on Indian Hills Community College on New Year's Eve at 4 p.m. Beck and Indian Hills coach Jeff Kidder go back a long ways as Beck was a student assistant under Kidder when he was the head coach at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah.
"They [Indian Hills] have great tradition and great history. They have not lost on their home court all season," Beck said. "This is a program that everybody knows about. They won three consecutive national titles from 1997-99.
"Ironically enough, coach Jeff KIdder at Indian Hills was my very first boss when I started coaching college basketball. He is the guy that gave me my big break that allowed me to get into this coaching fraternity. They are a very good defensive team and have several guys that can shoot and score. "
Indian Hills defeated Olive-Harvey 100-62 on Tuesday and were playing Mineral Area Wednesday night. Mineral Area defeated Indian Hills 68-64 in double overtime on Nov. 21. Going into the Mineral Area contest, Indian Hills was 11-0 at home.
Beck said he hopes his team can finish the year off well.
"We are going to try to end the year on a high note," he said.
Olive-Harvey 27 23 -- 50
WNCC (10-4) 50 35 -- 85
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Geoffrey Firman 5, Andre Marone 3, Saul Torres 8, O'Rion Hughes 12, Joe Stock 5, Mateus Chaves 6, Francisco Cruz 19, Brylle Kamen 6, Ritchie Mundende 5, Geddes Robinson 16.
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