Western Nebraska Community College's Mike Peltz had a triple-double and the Cougar men picked up their fifth straight win with an 113-50 victory over Oglala Lakota College Saturday afternoon at Cougar Palace.
Peltz, an Alliance graduate, was just one of four players to finish with 20 or more points in the win. Peltz finished with 20 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists to help pace the WNCC team. Preston Eaton led the Cougars with 30 points, while Joe Stock netted 24 points including six 3-pointers.
"Overall, as a team, we did O.K. but our defensive intensity wasn't there and coach told us in the locker room that we weren't jumping to our lines and doing the basic things that it takes to win big games," he said. "
This was the second time in a week the Cougars has played Oglala Lakota, topping them 161-34 last Saturday. On Saturday, the Cougars played a different style of game playing just six players to match the six that suited up for the Bravehearts.
Peltz said that sometimes it is tough to get up for a game after beating someone earlier, but they still need to learn to play a full 40 minutes. That was something they didn't do on Saturday.
"I think potentially we can be very good," he said. "When we play hard, we definitely are really good. We just have to play hard for a full 40 minutes and do the little things right."
Saturday the team had spurts in the game where they let up and Oglala Lakota took advantage in going on mini runs. It was obvious from the beginning WNCC had just too much talent running out to a 9-0 lead before Oglala scored a free throw with 16 minutes to play. WNCC continued excelling as Peltz eight of the Cougars' next 12 points for a 21-1 lead Eaton scored the first of his 30 points after taking a pass from Peltz.
Oglala started to make a comeback as Tanoa Big Crow nailed seven of a nine point run for the Bravehearts to cut the lead to 28-13, but WNCC finished the half on a 18-0 run, including two treys from Scott for the 54-17 halftime lead.
The second half was lukewarm for the Cougars as they allowed Oglala to score 33 points, including five 3-pointers. WNCC, however, was like an well-oiled machine as Scott buried three straight 3-pointers and the Cougars blitzed the nets for 65 shooting in the final 20 minutes for the victory.
Peltz, who struggled in finding the net in the previous four games, broke out with his first collegiate triple-double. He added that it isn't all about scoring, but getting the entire team into the game.
"It is always an adjustment to college basketball so it took a while," Peltz said. "It is good to score, I guess, but every time I get on the court I try to set people up."
WNCC also had a double-double from Miguel Ramos, who finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Stephen Shepherd had 20 points, including three dunks.
WNCC, 5-0, will be back in action Tuesday when they host Central Wyoming College. Peltz said that game will be a test.
"We scrimmaged Central Wyoming in Casper and they are a good team," he said. "They have a lot of shooters. That is also the start of a big week for us. Hopefully we can take care of things starting on Tuesday."
Oglala Lakota 17 33 -- 50
WNCC (5-0) 54 59 -- 113
OGLALA LAKOTA
Byron Bear RObe 5, Cody Red Wing 9, Tanoa Big Crow 20, Leroy Lame 9, Mark Buckman 7.
WNCC
Mike Peltz 20, Preston Eaton 30, Joe Stock 24, Stephen Shepherd 22, Marcello Crivellente 5, Miguel Ramos 12.
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