The Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team made it a perfect weekend after rolling over Dawson Community College 99-64 Saturday afternoon at Cougar Palace.
It was third straight victory for the Cougars to open the season and Saturday's win was definitely a team effort as all 16 players that saw action scored.
Chase Mason, who led the team with 13 points, said this was a signature win in how this Cougar team can play.
"We played really good and everybody got in the mix and contributed," Mason said. "It was good to see everybody do what they can do and show everybody. I am just proud of the way we came out and I am excited for this year."
The Cougars took control of the contest early and never really let up. Mason said the goal was to start well and that is what they did because in the previous two games on Thursday and Friday, WNCC trailed at halftime. Saturday that wasn't going to happen.
"Everybody was focusing on the game plan," Mason said. "The way you start the game is important, but the way you finish it is just as important. To get off to a good start is way important in the game. We did what needed to be done to get the win."
WNCC started quick, jumping out to a 6-0 lead and led 16-7 on a electrifying dunk by Derrick Bowers. That electric dunk fueled the Cougars play. After Dawson got to 16-11, WNCC would go on a 14-5 run that included Andrew Ramirez connect on a 3-pointer and then Phil Fayne had an old-fashioned 3-point play for a 30-16 lead.
After Dawson got to within 30-20, the Cougars went on a 13-2 run that included a 3-pointer by Marquin Walton and a reverse 3-point play by Bowers for a 43-23 lead. WNCC went up 51-29 as Ramirez drained a 3-point shot from the circle of the jump circle as time expired for a 51-29 lead.
WNCC never lost sight of the win in the second half. What stood out in the second half was plenty of electrifying dunks, including dunks by Fayne, Bowers, and Tyrell Williams.
WNCC was also hitting, not only from the paint but also the outside. WNCC buried 10 of 20 3-pointers, led by two each by Mason, Ramirez, and Bo McVay.
The Cougars also had three players in double figures. Mason led the way with 13 points followed by 11 each by Ramirez and Fayne. The Cougars also got eight points each from Williams and RJ Palmer.
WNCC also distributed the ball well, collecting 18 assists. Mason Smith led with four and Ramirez had three. Ramirez also had three of the team's 13 steals in the game.
Mason said this team has plenty of depth and anyone can contribute at any given time.
"We have a good mix of players that stay ready on the bench so when calls their name, anybody can go out there," he said. "We can play anybody on the team. We have a lot of chemistry and a lot of depth. That is how we are going to win this year. From the first person to the last person, everybody has heart and they know what needs to be down this year. We have a lot of depth. "
WNCC (3-0) will hit the road next weekend when they face a couple top 20 teams. WNCC will face No. 1 College of Southern Idaho on Friday before taking on Salt Lake Community College in Utah. Mason said they need to focus to pick up wins next week.
"College of Southern Idaho is ranked number one so we will have to get with it," he said. "We just need to use our depth and execute the game plan and we should be good to get the win."
In the first game on Saturday, Ft. Collins rolled over Planet Academy building a slim 45-42 halftime lead and winning 105-82.
Dawson 29 35 – 64
WNCC (3-0) 51 48 – 99
DAWSON
Bediakko Myasa 2, Josh Stickel 1, Tyrick Thompson 9, Christian Kappell 15, Evan Jones 10, Daniel Shedden 7, Stefan Stubbs 11, Victor Henriquez 3, Riley Jensen 6.
WNCC
Marquin Walton 5, Daylon Harris 3, Mason Smith 3, RJ Palmer 8, Michael Sparks 6, Austin Payne 5, Leon Tomic 1, Michael Connor 7, Michael New 4, Bo McVay 6, Derrick Bowers 7, Chase Mason 13, Milos Popovic 1, Phil Fayne 11, Andrew Ramirez 11, Tyrell Williams 8.