Page and Coatta guide Hawks over Marshalltown

NORFOLK, Neb. – Coming off a 31-point performance against Central Community College on Wednesday, freshman Emmette Page (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) was back to work on Saturday, pitching in 20 points as the Northeast Community College men's basketball team topped Marshalltown Community College 69-65 at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.

Sharp-shooting sophomore Seth Coatta (Minnetonka, Minn.) hit a 3-pointer to put the Hawks (12-10, 1-3 ICCAC) up early 8-0, but Marshalltown answered with a run of its own to pull within one with 10 minutes to play in the first half.

The Tigers eventually fought back to take a one-point advantage, but it was Coatta that sparked the Hawks' offense late in the first half, thanks to another pull-up 3-pointer. Coatta went on to nail four 3-pointers in the game, while going 6-of-10 from the field for 19 points. He also contributed seven rebounds and five steals.

The Northeast offense went cold in the first five minutes of the second half, until Coatta hit a long-range 3-pointer, followed by a Joel Ufele (London, United Kingdom) dunk. A minute later, Ufele followed with a layup and Page hit a contested 3-pointer to put the Hawks up by eight points and forcing the Tigers to call a timeout. Ufele went on to tally 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists in the contest.

Marshalltown eventually cut the Hawks' lead to a point, but Northeast never trailed and eventually put the game out of reach for the Tigers after Coatta made a layup with 38 seconds remaining. Coatta was fouled with 14 seconds to play and hit both of his free throws to secure the win for Northeast.

The Hawks battle Indian Hills Community College at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.

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.