SALT LAKE CITY – The Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team picked up a signature win Friday at the Region 9/18 Challenge, upsetting pre-season No. 1 ranked College of Southern Idaho 97-85 Friday in Salt Lake City, Utah.
WNCC coach Russ Beck was extremely proud of his team for the effort they put on the court against a top-notch ball club like CSI>
"What a game it was," Beck said. "Coach Phay and CSI have a great team and storied program. There is a reason they are ranked number one in the country. I am just proud of the way we competed. We scouted well, worked hard in practice, and executed the game plan. Great team win and you have to give all the credit to our players, fans who traveled, and coach [Louis] Truscott. We have something special this year."
Indeed the Cougars might have something special this season after picking up their fourth win of the young season. And, the way they won against a salty Golden Eagle squad in holding them to just 85 was special.
"Anytime you can hold a team averaging 125 to basically half their average, you are doing something good," he said. "We can enjoy this game until midnight and then we have to focus on number 15 Salt Lake Community College."
Beck said that WNCC got an early lead and never relinquished. It. Beck said they really controlled the tempo throughout.
WNCC led 43-38 at halftime and enjoyed a hotter shooting second half, outscoring the Golden Eagles 53-47 in the final 20 minutes to secure the win.
WNCC shot 48 percent for the game while holding CSI to 41 percent shooting. Both teams buried six 3-pointers, but it was free throw shooting that proved to be the winner. WNCC made 10 more charity stripes, converting 29 of 40 to CSI's 19 of 28.
The Cougars also out-rebounded CSI 44-40 and had 19 assists. Tyrell Williams led the team on the glass with 10 rebounds. Williams also finished with 19 points.
Phil Fayne paced the Cougars in scoring, finishing with 20 points on 7 of 9 shooting. Fayne and Williams were just two of five Cougars in double figures. Mason Smith and Chase Mason each had 12 points, while Leon Tomic finished with 11 points.
CSI was led in scoring by Darryl Gaynor with 25 points, including four 3-pointers.
WNCC will finish off the Region 9/18 Challenge when they face No. 15 Salt Lake Community College Saturday evening. Salt Lake was an 87-77 winner over Casper College.
WNCC (4-0) 44 53 -- 97
Southern Idaho (3-1) 38 47 — 85
WNCC
Mason Smith 12, RJ Palmer 4, Chase Mason 12, Phil Fayne 20, Andrew Ramirez 7, Daylon Harris 1, Michael Sparks 8, Leon Tomic 11, Derrick Bowers 3, Tyrell Williams 19.