WILLIAMS’ GAME-WINNER PROPELS NORTHEAST OVER WESTERN IOWA TECH

NORFOLK, Neb. – The Northeast Community College men's basketball team welcomed Western Iowa Tech Community College to the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk Saturday for an ICCAC battle. The Hawks secured a 70-69 victory to take their second consecutive conference win.

Northeast (5-14, 2-10 ICCAC) fell 68-67 to the Comets just three weeks ago in Sioux City, Iowa and the two squads traded the lead all afternoon again in their final meeting of the season. The Hawks trailed 69-68 with just 30 seconds remaining on the clock before Chase Williams (Omaha, Neb.) put in a long jumper in front of the Northeast bench in what became the game-winning shot. Vincent Garrett (Lincoln, Neb.) led the showdown in scoring with 21 points while Williams trailed with 12 of his own.

STAT SHEET:

Vincent Garrett (Lincoln, Neb.): 21 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST

Chase Williams (Omaha, Neb.): 12 PTS, 4 REB

Scottie Johnson (Denton, Texas): 10 PTS, 3 REB

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Men's Basketball Coach Josh Clark on Williams' big shot and the victory as a whole:

"It took us a little bit to get going," Clark said. "Our bench played great, and I'm proud of the second team that comes to practice every day and makes the starters better. The minute Chase let it fly I turned my head knowing it was in because that's his shot and his go-to move. He practices that day and night. I was glad the ball was in his hands at the end, and it just worked out. We made the shot and I'm proud of them. We aren't quitting or giving up. We're dangerous and I don't think we are a team you want to play in the tournament. Proud of the guys."

Clark on keeping the momentum rolling on the road this week:

"We are looking to build," Clark said. "The last two games we have hung our hat on defense, and that is how we want our teams to play. Defense travels. We talk about continuous, relentless effort and we want to make teams uncomfortable."

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will travel next and will take on Southwestern Community College at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Creston, Iowa.

HAWKS HAPPENINGS:

For all the latest information on Northeast Hawks Athletics, please visit northeasthawks.com. For updates and other exciting content, follow:

@northeastcchawks on Facebook

@northeasthawks on Instagram

@northeasthawks on TikTok

@NortheastHawks on Twitter/X

@NortheastCCMBB on Twitter/X