TRINIDAD, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team couldn't hold on to a halftime lead in falling to Trinidad State Junior College 81-72 Friday night in a Region IX South sub-region contest Friday night.

                WNCC falls to 19-5 on the season and 9-2 in conference play. The Cougars are ½ game behind Otero for the conference lead. Trinidad State moves to 18-6 overall and 7-5 in conference play.

                WNCC held a 38-35 lead at intermission before the Trojans outscored 46-34 in the second half.

                The Cougars shot 38 percent from the field and were just 9 of 31 from beyond the arc. Trinidad shot 50 percent for the game and converted 11 of 21 3-pointers.

                WNCC had four players in double figures. Vinnie Shahid led the way with 16 points followed by Trent Harris with 15 points. Harris tallied three 3-pointers while pulling down seven rebounds. Shahid had two treys and five rebounds.

                Djodje Dimitrijevic and Marko Rajanovic each had 10 points. The two also had two 3-pointers in the game.

                WNCC will look to get back on the winning track Saturday afternoon when they travel to Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

WNCC (19-5)                      38 34 – 72

Trinidad (11-11)                35 46 – 81

WNCC

Trent Harris 15, Vinnie Shahid 16, Jervay Green 8, Djodje Dimitrijevic 10, Martin Roub 4, Bryce Sanchious 4, Marlon Sierra 5, Marko Rajanovic 10.

TRINIDAD

Job Alexander 9, Tykeem Anderson 18, Rene Melendez 9, Issac Essein 3, Ian Kelly 4, Dominic Coleman 3, Charles Henderson 2, Trevell Cunningham 18, Cole Lawrence 2, Fred Cottrell 9.