CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team nailed 16 3-pointers in capturing its second win of the season with a 116-105 win over the Northern Colorado All-stars Saturday in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
The Cougar nailed seven threes in the first half to lead 57-47 and then buried another nine in the second half to outscore the All-star team 59-58 to get their second win of the season.
WNCC coach Cory Fehringer said his team just showed up and played and did the things they needed to get the win.
"It was an offensive battle, both teams were taking and making a lot of shots," the first-year WNCC head coach said. "I thought we found some things that worked in our motion, things that worked in our halfcourt, but at the same time giving up 105 points there is no excuse or the defense."
Fehringer said that these two wins are nice, but it is still early.
"In my opinion it is November 5th and it doesn't matter if it is CSI or Northern Colorado All-stars. These are games on the schedule and games we show up to play regardless of who the opponent is."
Daylon Harris agreed that the team played well all weekend.
"Our team played great together as a whole this past weekend." the sophomore said. "We thank our coaching staff who had been preparing us day in and day out, on and off the court. We knew we were on a bsiness trip to go 1-0 each day these past two days. We are excited and handled ourselves like business men. We got the job done. Defensively, we have a brotherhood to always have each other back and to communicate. Offensively, we trust each other that making that next pass will turn into a great one. That we we managed to pour in 16 three's."
What Fehringer was most pleased with was how his team shared the ball in both games this weekend. WNCC defeated College of Southern Idaho on Friday.
"I think what is most important coming out of both games is the simple truth that multiple players contributed to wins each night," he said. "I thought our team did the best job possible to share the basketball, play for one another, and be unselfish on both sides of the basketball."
The Cougars blistered the net for 62 percent shooting from the field and were 16 of 23 beyond the arc for 60 percent.
WNCC also out-rebounded the All-star team 38-29, led by six rebounds each from Austin Payne and Marlon Sierra.
More importantly, the Cougars shared the ball, putting seven players in double figures while also dishing out 20 assists. Vinnie Shahid led the way with five assists followed by four from Dorde Dimitrijavic.
Scoring was well distributed as well. Dimitrijavic led the way with 26 points, including three 3-pointers. Trent Harris also found the basket with 21 points and three treys.
Also netting double figures were Shahid with 18 points, Diamond Onwuka with 12, Michael Connor with 14, and 10 each from Sierra and Jeremy Ruffin.
WNCC, 2-0, will be back in action next weekend at Casper when they face Salt Lake Community College and Miles Community College.
"This will be another week for us to work to get better on the offensive and defensive side of the ball with preparation of the day-to-day process," Fehringer said. "We will continue to try to improve on both sides of the basketball before we tip off on Friday."
N. Colorado All-stars 47 58 – 105
WNCC (2-0) 57 59 – 116
NORTHERN COLORADO ALL-STARS
Ralph Salas 4, Corey Rucker 15, Zerek Knight 6, Junior Rivera 15, Sam Porter 24, Wes Porter 26, Nick Augustine 3, Ben Oren 5.
WNCC
Daylon Harris 3, Trent Harris 21, Vinnie Shahib 18, Diamond Onwuka 12, Micahel Connor 16, Marlon Sierra 10, Dorde Dimitrijavic 24, Jeremy Ruffin 10.