HAMMOND HEATS UP AS HAWKS MOVE TO THE NEXT ROUND

ESTHERVILLE, Iowa – The Northeast Community College men's basketball team made the trip to the campus of Iowa Lakes Community College Friday to compete in the Play-In Round of the Region XI Division II Men's Basketball Tournament in Estherville, Iowa against North Iowa Area Community College. The Hawks topped the Spartans 97-84 and punched their ticket to the next round.

The Hawks (15-16, 5-11 ICCAC) just took on the Trojans in the final showdown of the regular season last Saturday in a contest that Northeast won 104-88. Ben Hammond (Norfolk, Neb.) knocked down four different 3-pointers in the first eight minutes and the Hawks never looked back as they controlled the showdown the whole way.

Emaniel Alexandre (Nassau, Bahamas) was huge for Northeast as he was just one assist shy of a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.  

STAT SHEET:

Emaniel Alexandre (Nassau, Bahamas): 26 PTS, 10 REB, 9 AST

Ben Hammond (Norfolk, Neb.): 23 PTS, 6 REB

Chaz Cullum (Omaha, Neb.): 15 PTS, 3 AST

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Assistant men's basketball coach Junior Denis on Ben Hammond's quick start contributing to the big victory:

"We knew that if Ben hit a few threes combined with playing good defense and rebounding the ball we would come out on top," Dennis said.

Denis on the key to downing No. 5 Iowa Lakes tomorrow:

"We just have to come out tomorrow and play with a chip on our shoulders," Denis said. "We know Iowa Lakes is a great team and they are going to come out with great energy playing on their home court."

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will now take on the top seed of the tournament and nationally ranked No. 5 Iowa Lakes Community College at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow in Estherville, Iowa as part of the Quarterfinal Round of the Region XI Division II Men's Basketball Tournament.

HAWKS HAPPENINGS:

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