Upset bid falls short for Northeast men on Wednesday night

NORFOLK, Neb. – The Northeast Community College men's basketball team gave Southeastern Community College all it could handle on Wednesday night.

With eight different lead changes throughout the game, the Hawks (9-9, 0-2 ICCAC) fell short of mounting a furious comeback, falling to the Blackhawks (16-3, 2-0 ICCAC) 95-88 in ICCAC play at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.

The Hawks managed to make a few adjustments before halftime to tie the game at 40 apiece after Luke Rollman (Humphrey, Neb.) was fouled under the basket. Rollman's shot went in and he later hit his free throw to notch the three-point play.

Both teams came out of the locker room exchanging blows, but Southeastern kept its foot on the pedal, not allowing Northeast to climb back into the game.

With 10:49 to play in the game and down by 14 points, the Hawks managed to pull within nine after Daniel Akuei (Melbourne, Australia) was fouled and hit the old-fashion three-point play. Minute later, Moses Byekwaso (London, United Kingdom) hit a 3-pointer, followed by a layup from Joel Ufele (London, United Kingdom) and a long-range 3-pointer from Ben Moxness (Scribner, Neb.) that ultimately pulled the Hawks with seven points.

For the final six minutes, it was a back-and-forth affair until Emmette Page (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) hit a crucial 3-pointer, giving the Blackhawks a slim four-point lead. But, it was the Blackhawks that managed to make two crucial free-throws, capitalizing on the personal fouls committed by the Hawks that sent four Northeast players to the bench.

Page recorded 18 points, nine assists, three steals and two rebounds. Seth Coatta (Minnetonka, Minn.) and Moxness tallied 15 points, while Akuei added 13 points and eight boards.

The Hawks shot 46 percent from the field and out-rebounded Southeastern 33-31.

Northeast travels east to face Iowa Western Community College for another ICCAC contest at 7 p.m. Saturday in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

For all news related to Northeast Community College athletics, visit northeasthawks.com for complete coverage. Fans can also follow the Hawks on Twitter @NortheastHawks for game-day coverage.