Page and Akuei propel Hawks over Iowa Western

NORFOLK, Neb. – Emmette Page (Crystal, Minn.) dropped 38 points and Daniel Akuei (Melbourne, Australia) added a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds as the Northeast Community College men's basketball team out-lasted Iowa Western Community College, 89-83 on Saturday night at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.

The Hawks (10-7, 1-0) scored quickly in the first half, thanks to back-to-back 3-pointers by Akuei and Page to give Northeast a 20-9 advantage. Northeast held the Reivers under 30 points until the 1:15 mark, while the Hawks managed to take a 39-34 lead into halftime.

Iowa Western took its first lead of the game with 12:38 to play in the second half, but the Hawks didn't go down without a fight. Ben Moxness (Scribner, Neb.) and Page hit back-to-back 3-pointers to pull the Hawks within three points. Northeast began to climb back into the game after Akuei hit two 3-pointers and Page hit another within a minute to give the Hawks a two-point lead.

Akuei came up clutch with 2:57 to play, hitting a long-range shot from beyond the arc. However, the Reivers quickly grabbed the lead back, but on the ensuing Northeast possession, Page was fouled as his jumper sank through the net. He went on to hit the free throw to give the Hawks an 83-81 lead. Asher Scavella (Nassau, Bahamas) sank all of his free throws down the stretch the put Northeast in the driver's seat.

Northeast went on to shoot 43 percent from the field, 46 percent from the three-point line and 87 percent from the charity stripe.

Scavella pitched in 14 points and seven boards, while Michael Anderson (Lincoln, Neb.) had nine points and six rebounds.

The Hawks hit the road to battle Quakerdale Prep Academy at 7 p.m. Wednesday in New Providence, 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.