Story courtesy of Mark Gaschler, Star-Herald Sports

The Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team held off Central Wyoming College to improve its record to 3-2 with a 87-82 win at home.

The Cougars led Central Wyoming 44-27 at halftime, but a surging Rustler offense was able to take a 69-67 lead with five minutes on the clock in the second half. The two teams swapped leads until the Cougars jumped up 78-75 around the two minute mark.

Sophomore Marlon Sierra led the Cougars with 18 points and five rebounds. Sophomore Vinnie Shahid had 10 assists and sophomore Djodje Dimitrijevic had three steals.

Head coach Cory Fehringer said the team's youth led them to give up a 17-point lead in the second half.

"We have some youth on our team still," he said, "and even our sophomores need to do a better job of having focus and tenacity and passion throughout the whole game, and we've just hit a state where we haven't played hard consistently."

The team's travel schedule may have also contributed to their problems.

"They've been to Texas, they've been to North Dakota, they've been to Idaho, and we've got a bit of fatigue," Fehringer said. "We just have to be better than that, both mentally and physically."

Despite the issues that plagued his team, Fehringer was pleased that his team came away with a win.

"You get a win against Central Wyoming who's 5-0, you have to be happy for your guys," he said.

Central Wyoming         27 55 — 82
WNCC (3-2)                44 43 — 87
CENTRAL WYOMING
Devon Conley 15, Henry Tanksley 14, Marquis White 2, Jamison Washington 4, Romario Spence 13, Irshaad Hunte 22, Drew Switzer 5, Brock Finstuen 2, Kylan Shultz 5.
WNCC
Trent Harris 14, Bryce Sancnious 4, Vinnie Shahid 9, Marlon Sierra 18, Marko Rajanovic 14, Jervay Green 8, Djodje Dimitrijevic 10, Martin Roub 10.