CLARK PICKS UP FIRST-CAREER VICTORY AS HAWKS START SEASON IN WIN COLUMN

NORFOLK, Neb. – The Northeast Community College men's basketball team opened up their season at home at the Cox Activities Center against Concordia University JV Thursday night in Norfolk. The Hawks grabbed a late victory by a final score of 76-72.

Northeast (1-0) led early 8-3 but fell behind to the Bulldogs five minutes into the contest and trailed 39-30 at the halftime break. Ben Hammond (Norfolk, Neb.) and Amaire Perkins (Sanford, Fla.) both led the way in scoring for the Hawks with 15 each as Northeast hung around just long enough to take a lead with 11 seconds remaining in the showdown. Free-throw shooting was key late for the Hawks as Vincent Garrett (Lincoln, Neb.) made two free throws to give Northeast the lead and Perkins added two more with seven seconds left to give Northeast their first win of the year.

STAT SHEET:

Ben Hammond (Norfolk, Neb.): 15 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL

Amaire Perkins (Sanford, Fla.): 15 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL

Kamari Moore (Norfolk, Neb.): 10 PTS, 3 REB, 2 STL

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Men's Basketball Coach Josh Clark's overall thoughts on the victory tonight:

"Tough win," Clark said. "That's a great win. They shoot the ball well. They do the little things well. Tonight's win is a credit to our guys. They trusted the process. We talked in the locker room before the game about hope and belief. We believed that we could do it. We fought to the end. With 11 seconds left we did what we needed to do. I credit our guys."

Clark on pulling out the win despite trailing for much of the contest:

"We were ready coming out tonight because we had been practicing against each other for so long," Clark said. "The adrenaline was flowing a little too much at the start. We executed down the stretch. We made plays when we needed to. We made free throws down the stretch. An ugly win is better than a pretty loss."

Clark on what picking up his first-career collegiate win tonight meant to him:

"It means so much," Clark said. "I don't even have the words. I didn't expect the win to be now. I am so thankful. I am so thankful for the staff, Athletic Director Jerrett Mills and all of the people that support us. I appreciate all of the support. It makes my job easy."

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will stay home for a battle with Southeast Community College at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.

HAWKS HAPPENINGS:

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