TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team couldn't let their halftime lead hold up after dropping an 85-76 to Arizona Western College in the first day of the Wright PT/ICCU Tourney in Twin Falls, Idaho.

                The loss drops the Cougars to 7-2 while Arizona Western moves to 8-1.

                WNCC head coach Russ Beck said Arizona Western is a very solid team with some Division I transfers.

                "We dropped one to a very good 8-1 Arizona Western team," Beck said. "They had a load of a D1 transfer in Jamaree Strickland at 6-10 and 290 pounds, whom came to JUCO from the Cincinnati Bearcats."

                Strickland finished with 13 points and nine rebounds for Arizona Western, but Arizona Western was led by Andre Nikita with 23 points and Chase Rodgers with 21.

                "They really had some role guys step when we held some of their big guns in check," Beck said. "It was a good learning experience and it will prepare us for region play. That's what this is all about; time to bounce back and play to the level of our talent."

                WNCC, however, played tooth and nail with Arizona Western.

                "We out rebounded them, hit the same amount of free throws, but yet we turned the ball over a little too much," Beck said. "We need to get Andy [Ramirez] back to 100 percent because he is not playing like himself. He struggled from the field at 2-for-10 with eight turnovers. He is better than that and he will bounce back."

                WNCC played well in the first half, hitting on 45 percent from the field and held Arizona Western to just 34 percent and just 2 of 13 from behind the arc. WNCC held a 41-34 lead at intermission.

                It was the second half that was the difference. Arizona Western blistered the nets for 47 percent shooting, including going 7 of 15 from behind the arc. WNCC was just 40 percent from the field and 4 of 11 from the 3-point line.

                The Cougars, however, out-rebounded the Matadors 45-38 and recorded five blocks and dished out 18 assists. Tyrell Williams led the team with seven rebounds, followed by six from Phil Fayne. Mason Smith led the team with four assists, while Fayne tallied three blocks.

                WNCC had just two players in double figures. Fayne and Chase Mason each had 19 points. Mason tallied three 3-pointers and was a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

                WNCC also got eight points each from Derrick Bowers and Smith.

                The Cougars, 7-2, will be back in action today when they face Treasure Valley Community College at 3 p.m. in the second day of the tournament.

WNCC (7-2)                        41 35 – 76

Ariz. Western (8-1)          34 51 – 85

WNCC

Derrick Bowers 8, Chase Mason 19, Mason Smith 8, Andrew Ramirez 4, Tyrell Williams 6, Daylon Harris 2, Phil Fayne 19, RJ Palmer 4, Michael Sparks 5.

ARIZONA WESTERN

Andrew Nikita 23, Chris Famous 2, Cambrian Antrillo 4, Cameron Young 8, Jamaree Strickland 13, Chase Rodgers 21, Seth Guillory 14.