The Northern Colorado all-stars converted 14 3-pointers and then held off a furious Western Nebraska Community College rally to post a 109-99 win over the Cougar men Saturday afternoon.

                The Northern Colorado All-stars connected on 12 first-half 3-pointers and opened up a 10-0 lead before a trey by Chase Mason got the Cougars on the board. From then on, the All-stars kept knocking down shots and limiting the Cougars to single buckets to hold a 60-42 lead at intermission.

                The All-stars shot 53 percent in the first half from the field and were 12-of-20 from beyond the arc in the first half. The All-stars cooled off a little in the second, finishing the game shooting 51 percent and were 14 of 31 from beyond the arc.

                The Cougars trailed by as much as 32 points in the second half, 81-49. Still, WNCC kept fighting, turning the 32-point deficit to single digits late. WNCC had opportunities to come back. Trailing 97-82 after a Tyrell Williams bucket, the Cougars started their run, highlighted by a Bo McVay 3-pointer with 2:40 to play.

                WNCC kept clawing cutting the lead to single digits at 101-92 on a Mason old-fashioned 3-point play with 1:52 to play. After a bucket by the All-stars, McVay nailed another 3-pointer to cut the lead to eight, 103-95. With under 30 seconds to play, WNCC got even close after a Mason bucket and a Phil Fayne steal and bucket to cut the lead to 105-99. But that was as close as they could get.

                WNCC shot 55 percent in the first half, but were just 5 of 10 from beyond the arc. The Cougars kept that pace in the second half, shooting 55 percent for the game and converting 8 of 19 3-pointers.

                The Cougars also out-rebounded the All-stars 41-28, led by Williams' 10 boards.

                WNCC had four players finish in double figures, led by Michael Sparks with 24 points, including four treys and 8 of 8 from the charity stripe. Mason finished with 19 points followed by Fayne with 16, and Williams with 15.

                The All-stars had five of their eight players in double figures. Wes Porter led the way with 25 points followed by Corey Rucker with 20, Joe Clance with 17, Nick Autustine with 14, and Oraneic Simmons with 10.

                WNCC, 17-12, will wrap up the regular season Tuesday when they travel to Casper College.

N. Colo. All-stars               60 49 – 109

WNCC (17-12)                    42 57 – 99

N. COLORADO ALL-STARS

Corey Rucker 20, Joe Clance 17, Anthony McBride 7, Junior Rivera 8, Austin Dyekman 8, Wes Porter 25, Nick Augustine 14, Oraneic Simmons 10.

WNCC

Mason Smith 5, RJ Palmer 6, Michael Sparks 24, Michael Connor 2, Bo McVay 8, Derrick Bowers 4, Chase Mason 19, Phil Fayne 16, Tyrell Williams 15.