The Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team had a complete game performance from start to finish as the Cougars went to 4-1 in the South Sub-region with a commanding 90-71 win over McCook Community Friday night at Cougar Palace.
WNCC moves to 14-9 on the season but more importantly they go to 4-1 in sub-region play. WNCC will next be in action Friday when they travel to LaJunta, Colorado, for a contest with Otero College.
WNCC head coach Billy Engel said it was definitely a strong effort from his team from start to finish Friday night as they stayed tied with Trinidad State in the sub-region.
"This season, this was the best start to finish performance that our team has put together," Engel said. "I am proud of our guys and not just offensively for sharing the ball and not just for making shots, but we executed a defensive game plan almost from start to finish tonight and that was the big reason."
The Cougars played strong from start to finish as they never trailed in the contest. The Cougars opened the game with six straight points, including back-to-back buckets by Stephen Ovia. McCook got to within three a couple times early, but WNCC had an answer as the Cougars had back-to-back 3-pointers and went up 18-9.
Late in the first half, WNCC had a big 9-0 run to lead 42-24 including back-to-back buckets by Maurice Walker. McCook came sprinting back with a 9-0 run, but Travis Easterly got a steal and easy bucket for WNCC to lead 44-33 at halftime.
The second half was just as strong for the Cougars as Ovia started the half with four straight points including a monster, eye-popping slam dunk for a 47-33 lead. WNCC later went on an 8-0 run that saw back-to-back buckets by Elijah Burney for a 60-44 lead. WNCC went up 64-47 on a Willie Wilson bucket.
WNCC always had a big answer to any of McCook's scores as WNCC led 76-57 on a Kayden Nation dunk. WNCC closed out the contest as Junior Galica had a late 3-pointer and then a eye-popping dunk for an 88-65 lead. Marquis Morrison finished off the scoring with a bucket and the 90-71 win.
WNCC shot 49.3 percent from the field and buried 11 3-pointers. WNCC had 11-of-16 free throws.
WNCC had four players with double-figure scoring. Nation led the way with 22 points, including six 3-pointers. Nation also had four rebounds.
Ovia finished with 15 points, followed by JJ Harris with 13 points and Willie Wilson with 10 points.
McCook 33 38 – 71
WNCC (14-9) 42 48 – 90
MCCOOK
Martel Evans 6, Sacha Boizette 3, Ty Foster 16, Zeki Cavli 10, Louie Tucker 7, Bryan Akanmu 17, Ridley Shema 5, Jaxson Brandl 3, Brandon Kabuya-Mpoyi 4.
WNCC
JJ Harris 13, Maurice Walker 8, Junior Galicia 7, Anthony Simo 2, Willie Wilson 10, Travis Easterly, Jr., 3, Stephen Ovia 15, Elijah Burney 5, Daniel Bula 3, Kayden Nation 22, Marquis Morrison 2.