WNCC Cougar men lose heartbreaking overtime game to EWC 90-88

Contributed by the Scottsbluff Star-Herald

Whew!

That's probably what the Eastern Wyoming College men were saying as they trotted off the court Wednesday night, just seconds after escaping an exhilarating contest with their border rival Western Nebraska Community College at Cougar Palace.

As fans stood in suspense, the Cougars barely missed on two short-range shot attempts in the final 2 seconds, allowing the Lancers to survive 90-88 in a memorable overtime finish.

"I'm really proud of the way our team battled," EWC coach Casey Jones said. "It's not a sub-region game anymore, so it's not one that we really, really talk about as a team. But I know for the kids and the fans, it's one of their favorite games of the year.

"You can't help but get roped into the rivalry, so this is a big win for us."
If it were evident early in the game, both squads made it clear that they wanted this victory badly down the stretch. Although the Lancers led for much of the second half, WNCC put together a furious rally in the final minutes of regulation to send the contest into overtime.

With EWC clinging to a 79-77 lead, WNCC guard Daniel Smith drove down the lane and scored with just 2.2 seconds remaining in regulation. EWC's desperation half-court shot was off the mark, forcing the extra period.

In overtime, both teams battled neck and neck, until EWC managed to move ahead by four points, 89-85, with just 8.5 seconds to play. But just like it did in regulation, WNCC didn't go away, using two free throws by Smith to pull within two points with 7.8 seconds to go.

EWC's Casey Robinson then made a free throw with 6.2 seconds left, making it a three-point contest. Smith was then fouled at the other end, and he went to the free-throw line and made the first of his two attempts. With WNCC needing a two- or three-point basket and only 2.2 seconds left, Smith was forced to intestinally miss his second free-throw attempt. His high-arching lob bounced off the back of the rim, and the Cougars nearly made a basket on a tip-in try. WNCC grabbed the rebound and again nearly scored on a short jump shot, but the shot was just off the mark as time expired.

"As much as we didn't want to see it go into overtime, it's always fun as a coach to see how your teams responds in a situation like that," Jones said. "I thought our guys responded very well."

Although the Cougars couldn't help but feel heartbroken after the game, WNCC coach Brian Joyce was pleased with how his players never gave up.

"I thought we dug ourselves a hole, but we did a good job of battling back and fighting until the end," Joyce said. "I thought we played with more passion and energy than we did the first time, and we played smarter. Still, we've got to sustain it a little longer than we did tonight."

Jones, whose team held a 77-70 lead with just 1:42 left in regulation, said he wasn't surprised by WNCC's late rally to force overtime. EWC, though, helped give the Cougars new life, as the Lancers converted only 3 of 8 free throws in the final 1:42.

"The only frustrating thing is that I felt we had control of the basketball game [until the last 3 minutes of regulation]," Jones said. "In any late-game situation, if you let a team stay close enough, they're going to make a charge at you. It came down to making free throws and getting defensive rebounds. We missed some free throws, and they took advantage of penetration on their end and just clawed their way back one point at a time."

EWC held control for much of the first half, even bolting ahead 25-17 with 9:15 remaining. WNCC, however, charged back, outscoring the Lancers 22-13 the rest of the half to head into the locker room with a 39-38 lead.

The momentum was short-lived, though, as EWC took control again early in the second half. In fact, the Lancers eventually built their lead to nine points, 64-55, with just over 8 minutes to play.

Although EWC couldn't put the Cougars away for good in regulation, Jones was far from disappointed. He was happy to see his team play well again after struggling in an 82-66 loss at Western Wyoming on Saturday.

"Our last game out was really frustrating, so as a coach I just wanted our guys to battle," Jones said. "Obviously, we wanted to win, too, but what I really wanted to see was us get back to playing well, and we did that."

Joyce said he's confident his team will recover from the setback. The loss was WNCC's third straight and left it with a 12-10 season record.

"We've been pretty resilient overall this season," Joyce said. "I told our guys that we could either keep fighting or quit - it's one or the other. I think our guys will bounce back."

Scotty McRae led EWC (13-9) in scoring with a game-high 29 points. Casey Robinson added 27 points, and Matt Pritchett pitched in 22.

For WNCC, Daniel Smith finished with 22 points, and Lloyd Hickinson added 18. Two other Cougars scored in double figures, as Kelvin Franklin had 15 points and Drew Eisinger added 14. Hickinson had a game-high nine rebounds.

EWC 38 41 11 -- 90
WNCC 39 40 9 -- 88
EASTERN WYOMING
Dane Hill 2, Matt Pritchett 22, Leo Morris 2, Scotty McRae 29, Jordon Johnson 4, Caleb Moore 2, Casey Robinson 27.
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Jamie Eisinger 8, Daniel Smith 22, Kelvin Franklin 16, Lloyd Hickinson 18, Drew Eisinger 14, Deividas Busma 4, Chris Hamblin 6, Terrell Price 3.