NORFOLK -- The Western Nebraska Community College men's and women's basketball teams lost heartbreakers Saturday afternoon to Northeast Community College on the road in East Sub-region contests.
The WNCC men received a 35-point performance from Hauns Brereton, but it wasn't enough as the Cougars fell 72-70. The Northeast assured the Hawks in hosting the men's regional tournament that begins the first weekend in March.
The Cougar women shot just 18 percent in the first half before mounting a strong comeback in the second half. WNCC's comeback, however, fell short as Northeast escaped with a 52-50 win.
The Cougar men led 43-at intermission and controlled much of the second half until the Hawks took the lead at 62-61. The two sub-region kept battling back and forth until Northeast took a 71-67 lead with nine seconds to play.
WNCC made a last-ditch effort to come back as Brereton was fouled attempting a 3-pointer. THe sophomore from Memphis, Tenn., made the first two of his three shots. He then missed the final shot and Justin Standley got the rebound and missed a tying shot. Mike Peltz quickly got the rebound and his tying shot wouldn't fall to give the Hawks the emotional win.
The Cougars shot just 39 percent from the field and were just 31 percent (4 of 13) from beyond the arc. Free throw shooting told the story, as the Cougars were just 61 percent from the free line (11 of 18). WNCC out-rebounded the taller Hawks 43-41 as Brereton pulled down 12 boards and Peltz had 10.
Brereton led all scorers with 35 points, including knocking down three 3-pointers and going 10 of 11 from the free throw line. Brady Mason also chipped in 10- points in the loss.
The women's contest was a tale of two halves for the Cougars. In the first half, the women couldn't buy a bucket, shooting just 18 percent from the field compared to 42 percent for Northeast. The second half proved to be a different story as the Cougars came out with a different mentality.
Trailing 42-22 early in the second half, the Cougars mounted a 16-4 run behind nine points from Thais Pinto and a big 3-pointer by Kyra Peterson. WNCC brought the score to within two 58-46 on a Peterson 3-pointer before Northeast went up 52-46 with 2:45 to play.
WNCC's defense held strong, holding Northeast scoreless the rest of the game. The Cougars came to within 52-50 on a Tiffany Moorer bucket and had a couple shots to either tie or win the game with under 11 seconds left but couldn't get the ball to fall.
WNCC shot just 32 percent from the field and 32 percent from the free throw line (6 of 18) while Northeast shot 41 percent from the field and 56 percent from the free throw.
WNCC was led by Pinto with 13 points followed by Moorer with 11 and Peterson with eight points.
Both teams will be back in action Tuesday when they host Casper College. The game will also be Hoops for Hunger night as individuals who bring in a canned food item will receive a $1 off their admission price.
Men's Game
WNCC (13-12) 43 26 -- 69
NE Nebraska (19-6) 36 35 -- 71
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Brady Mason 10, Mike Peltz 3, Justin Standley 4, Hauns Brereton 35, Raul Delgado 7, Marko Kovacevic 2, Aaron Turner 8.
Women's Game
WNCC (22-3) 14 36 -- 50
NE Nebraska (19-7) 29 23 -- 52
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Samantha Sanders 2, Shelby Campbell 1, Lisa Durden 6, Kyra Peterson 8, Tiffany Moorer 11, Carolina Alves 6, Thais Pinto 13, Chacha Ofoegbu 3.
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