WNCC men fall to North Platte

[2-2-13] NORTH PLATTE -- The Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team put five players in double figures but it wasn't enough to stop a North Platte Community College team that connected on 13 3-pointers in falling to the Knights 100-69 Saturday in North Platte in a South Sub-Region contest.

                The Knights (18-4, 8-2 Region IX) shot the ball extremely well in the contest, connecting on 54 percent from the field, including making 56 percent of their shots from behind the arc (13 of 23). WNCC didn't shoot the ball that badly either, making 47 percent of their shots. The Cougars were also 41 percent from beyond the arc and connected on 72.7 percent from the free throw line.

                WNCC coach Russ Beck said it was a matter that North Platte was fired up.

                "North Platte was fired up tonight after we had swept them  last year. We played without heart and without pride," he said. "We can drill and practice and grind everyday but if we turn it over 22 times and don't defend, we are in for it."

                Turnovers played a role in the Knights' victory. North Platted forced 22 turnovers and turned them into 27 points.

                The bright spot for the Cougars was their bench, where they outscored North Platte's bench 43-22. Sebastian Suarez paced the Cougars off the bench with 14 points, including two 3-pointers.

                Also netting double digits for WNCC were Tahir Little and Charles Ward with 12 points, Zach Clemens with 11, and Cody Johnson with 10.

                North Platte was led in scoring by Ethan Montalvo with 23 points. Reath Jiech contributed 16 points and seven rebounds, while Ben Wilson had 16 points and eight rebounds. Damon Brown also had double digits with 14 points.

                WNCC will be back in action next weekend when they host Lamar Community College on Friday and Northeastern Junior College on Saturday.

WNCC                   28 41 -- 69

North Platte       45 55 -- 100

WNCC

Tahir Little 12, Zach Clemens 11, Quante Cooley 2, Rich Williams 3, Charles Ward 12, Sebastian Suarez 14, Cody Johnson 10, Youssoupha Kane 3, Chad Calcaterra 2.

NORTH PLATTE

Rob Lewis 3, Damon Brown 14, Ethan Montalvo 23, Benjamin 16, Aboubacar Casse 9, Jake Maslo 4, Reath Jiech 16, Eric Richardson 8, Matthew Strybos 2, Tim Simmons 5.