WNCC men bounce back with win

Submitted by Jeremy Woznick, Scottsbluff Star-Herald

TWIN FALLS, Idaho — The Western Nebraska Community College men’s basketball team rebounded from its first loss of the season with a solid 85-61 win over TAAG Academy (Fla.) during the opening day of the K&T Steel Classic Thursday night in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Hauns Brereton and Marko Kovacevic both recorded double-doubles for the Cougars in the win. Brereton had 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Kovacevic finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Justin Omogun led WNCC offensively with 22 points. He also added four blocks and four steals. Also finishing in the double-figure scoring column for the Cougars were Raul Delgado with 13 points and Justin Standley with 10.

“We had a nice run in the second half fueled by a few big plays by Omogun and strong inside play by Marco,” WNCC coach Russ Beck said. “We controlled the boards and we had good team play. It was good to bounce back from that loss against Central Wyoming. We didn’t want to lose two games in a row. I think we’re on the right track.”

WNCC held a 40-30 advantage at halftime.

The Cougars finished the game shooting 49 percent from the field and 89 percent from the free-throw line.

Omogun knocked down 6 of his 8 free throws and 8 of his 13 shots from the field.

Brereton and Delgado led the Cougars with six assists each. Aaron Turner dished out four helpers.

The Cougars, now 6-1 on the season, will take on Sullivan County Junior College (N.Y.) today. Sullivan County is the top ranked junior college in Division III. The College of Southern Idaho beat Sullivan County 87-77 Thursday. CSI is ranked 13th in the Division I national poll.

WNCC (6-1)                40 45 — 85
TAAG Academy                30 31 — 61
WNCC
Justin Standley 10, Hauns Brereton 17, Marko Kovacevic 12, Justin Omogun 22, Aaron Turner 2, Joe Stock 3, Brady Mason 3, Stephen Shepherd 2, Raul Delgado 13, Preston Eaton 1