LA JUNTA, Colo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team put Friday's loss to Lamar Community College behind them and played much better against Otero Junior College on Saturday.
The Cougars, however, came up short, falling 72-69 to the Rattlers despite a 28-point, 11-rebound outing from sophomore Hauns Brereton.
WNCC coach Russ Beck said he was proud of how his team put the Lamar behind them and played well, just coming up short.
"We executed fairly well. We still had 21 turnovers. Defensively, we were improving a lot. If we start cutting down on our turnovers on our possessions, we will start winning," he said. "I am proud of the guys because they battled and they played well. I thought they played together and that is half the battle."
Beck said they shot well from the free throw line, at 78 percent, but they gave up too many offensive rebounds and turned the ball too much.
"We have to minimize our mistakes and do a little bit better job rebounding," he said. "They had 19 offensive rebounds, so we need to do a better job boxing out because we are shooting ourselves in the foot with turnovers and then we are giving them extra shots."
WNCC, 9-8, had two players finish in double figures. Besides Brereton's 28 points, Joe Stock chipped in 12 points with four 3-poiners. Mike Peltz also had a good game, finishing with nine points, six rebounds and four assists.
Beck said they it is just a matter of time for this team.
"We are close and we are getting better," he said. "We just need to get better soon than later."
WNCC will be back in action Tuesday night when they travel to Casper College before hosting Northeast (Neb.) Community College on Saturday at 3 p.m.
WNCC (9-8) 30 39 -- 69
Otero (13-5) 33 39 -- 72
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Hauns Brereton 28, Mike Peltz 9, Justin Omogun 3, Marko Kovacevic 4, Joe Stock 12, Raul Delgado 2, Aamie Kelliehan 2, Miguel Gotti Ramos 6, Aaron Turner 3.
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