TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team got back on the winning track in the second day of the Wright PT/ICCU Tourney on the campus of the College of Southern Idaho.

                The Cougars used a strong second half to erase a 38-36 halftime deficit to open up the tight game and defeating Treasure Valley Community College 82-68 on Saturday.

                WNCC coach Russ Beck said his team started slow as they were trying to find the right combination on the court. The second half was the difference.

                "I told the guys at halftime that we had to get after it," he said. "We went to a man to man defense and broke open the game with a strong second half."

                WNCC shot 40 percent in the first half and then heated up to 59 percent shooting in the second half. In the meantime, the Cougar defense made a drastic turn around in the second half. After Treasure Valley shot 42 percent in the first half, the Cougars limited TVCC to just 25 percent shooting, including just 1 of 13 from beyond the arc in the second half.

                WNCC had balanced scoring three players in double figures. Tyrell Williams and RJ Palmer led the way with 12 points each followed by Chase Mason with 11. Williams also pulled down nine boards followed by Mason Smith with six boards.

                WNCC, 8-2, will open up Region IX South play this week with three contests. WNCC will host Otero on Wednesday before hosting Trinidad State on Thursday. The Trinidad contest is a men's and women's doubleheader. The Cougar men will then travel to Laramie County Community College on Saturday.

WNCC                   36 46 – 92

Treasure Valley 38 30 – 68

WNCC

Marquin Walton 3, Michael Connor 5, Daylon Harris 6, Derrick Bowers 2, Phil Fayne 6, Leon Tomic 3, Michael New 4, Bo McVay 5, Chase Mason 11, Milos Popovic 2, Mason Smith 6, RJ Palmer 12, Tyrell Williams 12, Michael Sparks 5.