Hawks outlast Iowa Central in overtime thriller

NORFOLK, Neb. – Back-to-back dunks by Daniel Akuei (Melbourne, Australia) and Emmette Page (Crystal, Minn.) sparked the Northeast Community College men's basketball team to a 99-98 overtime victory over Iowa Central Community College in the final game of the Hawks Classic in the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.

Page ultimately forced overtime with a made layup with 21 seconds to play in regulation, while Akuei put the Hawks (2-2) in front with a 3-pointer with 3:48 to play in overtime.

The Hawks took a 49-43 lead at halftime, but was out-scored by the Tritons by six points in the second half.

Page recorded 27 points, eight assists and four rebounds, while connecting on six 3-pointers. Oyiti Amum (Melbourne, Australia) had 16 points and six rebounds, while Zack James (Norfolk, Neb.) and Akuei pitched in 14 points. Ben Moxness (Scribner, Neb.) added 12 points.

The Hawks shot 45 percent from the field and 48 percent from beyond the arc.

Northeast hits the road to face Lake Region State College at 3 p.m. Friday in Wahpeton, N.D., followed by a game with North Dakota State College of Science at 5 p.m. Saturday.

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.