Hawks show resilience in loss to No. 12 Kirkwood

NORFOLK, Neb. – An animated crowd was treated to a classic ICCAC showdown Saturday at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk as the Northeast Community College men's basketball team fell to the No. 12 ranked Kirkwood Community College Eagles, 95-82.

The Hawks (4-15, 0-9 ICCAC) fought to the wire with the nationally ranked Eagles, and they left no doubt that they have the ability to compete with anyone on a given night.

A steal and a full-court breakaway from Emaniel Alexandre (Nassau, Bahamas) culminated in a dunk with 23 seconds to play in the first half, and the Hawks only trailed 42-40 at intermission.

The second half was just as nail-biting as a trey from Jared Lopez (Lincoln, Neb.) assisted by Saheed Sanusi (Nassau, Bahamas) with 13:30 remaining in the second half knotted the score up at 58. A floater in the lane by Evan Decker (Omaha, Neb.) brought the Hawks within two points of the Eagles, and a layup from Lopez would cut the score to 75-74. The Hawks flirted with the lead throughout the remainder of the clash before the Eagles buried a few buckets to ice the game.

Lopez carried the torch for the Hawks as their leading scorer totaling 19 points, including three 3-pointers. Alexandre joined the scoring frenzy with 18 points, six rebounds and five steals. Jaden Strachen (Nassau, Bahamas) and Chaz Cullum (Omaha, Neb.) both added 11 points, respectively. Collin Storr (Nassau, Bahamas) chipped in nine points and two blocks off the bench.

The Hawks clash with Des Moines Area Community College at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Boone, Iowa.

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