SHERIDAN, Wyo. -- Francisco Cruz erupted for 33 points and the Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team escaped with an 80-78 win over Lamar Community College in the Region IX tournament Saturday in Sheridan, Wyo. The key for the Cougars' win was their red hot start as Joe Stock nailed three 3-pointers to give WNCC a 27-17 lead. Lamar, the defending Region IX champions, came storming back in holding the Cougars scoreless for nearly seven minutes in taking a 28-27 lead.
Francisco Cruz brought the Cougars back with back-to-back buckets, and the Mateus Chaves nailed a half-court shot at the buzzer to send the Cougars into the locker room with a 34-32 lead.
In the second half, the Cougars jumped out to a 52-44 lead before going ice cold once again in letting the Lopes come back to within four 54.52. The Cougars, however, found their offensive game again as Ritchie Mundende had a huge offensive tip in, and then Geoffrey Firman and Cruz canned back-to-back 3-pointers to go up 67-55.
WNCC added to the lead as Firmin and Cruz connected on a four free throws to go up 72-60 with two minutes to play. The Cougars couldn't keep the double-digit lead as the Lopes came storming back, slicing the lead to 76-74.
The Cougars hung on as Stock and Cruz nailed two free throws each to go up 80-76. Lamar had a chance to tie or win the game after WNCC turned the ball over with 5.2 seconds left, but the Lopes fumbled the ball and never could get off a chance.
Cruz led both teams in scoring with 33 points, including a perfect 10 of 10 from the free throw line. The University of Wyoming recruit also pulled down 12 rebounds and dished out four assists.
Stock also had a nice game, finishing with 16 points, including four 3-pointers. Geddes Robinson was the third Cougar in double figures, finishing with 12 points.
WNCC shot 44 percent from the field while Lamar was 52 percent. But the big reason for the win was free throw shooting. The Cougars were 23 of 28 from the line for 82 percent, while Lamar was 18 of 28 for 65 percent.
WNCC, 19-12, will now face the host school Sheridan College at 8 p.m. on Sunday. The Cougars and Sheridan met once before as the Generals recorded an 82-69 win back in December.
Other action on Saturday at the regional tournament saw Miles Community College earn a 70-68 win over Central Wyoming, Northwest Wyoming downed Gillette College 85-74, and Northeastern Junior College outscored McCook Community College 107-104.
Quarterfinal action on Sunday will have Miles City taking on Laramie County at 1 p.m., Northwest Wyoming facing at North Platte at 3 p.m., Northeastern Junior College meeting Casper College at 6 p.m., and WNCC facing Sheridan College at 8 p.m.
At the women's tournament in Sterling, the quarterfinals are set after four more games on Saturday.
Action Saturday saw Central Wyoming earn a 72-54 win over Lamar Community College, Otero coming back to down Western Wyoming 60-47, Miles beating McCook 56-41, and Northeast Nebraska beating Northwest Wyoming 76-69.
Quarterfinal action on Sunday will have Central Wyoming facing Sheridan at 1 p.m., Otero taking on Western Nebraska at 3 p.m., Miles City meeting Casper at 5 p.m., and Northeast Nebraska facing Northeastern Colorado at 7 p.m.
Lamar (16-15) 32 46 -- 78
WNCC (19-12) 34 46 -- 80
LAMAR
Allen Tate 11, Arden Dennis 7, Ron Waller 10, Melvin Williams 11, Tidjane DIop 4, James Holmes 6, Jordan Hill 5, Kevin Hinsey 14, Andre Wells 1, Petar Milasinovic 9.
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Geoffrey Firmin 8, O'Rion Hughes 1, Joe Stock 16, Francisco Cruz 33, Geddes Robinson 12, Saul Torres 4, Mateus Chaves 3, Ritchie Mundende 3.
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