HUGE SECOND HALF AND ROLLE’S 18 POINTS LEADS NORTHEAST OVER SOUTHEAST

NORFOLK, Neb. – The Northeast Community College men's basketball team hosted intrastate opponent Southeast Community College Tuesday night at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk. The Hawks came out on top in the showdown by a final score of 93-70.

Northeast (2-0) and the Bobcats were even at 42-42 when the halftime horn sounded but the Hawks were able to get things rolling in the second half and cruised to their second victory of the young season. At the conclusion of the ballgame Northeast had 11 more assists than Southeast, nine-fewer turnovers, 14 more points off turnovers, 20 more points in the paint and 17 more bench points than the Bobcats.

Bryan Rolle (Nassau, Bahamas) led the way in scoring for the Hawks with 18 points as Jacob Martin (Omaha, Neb.) with 16 points, Amaire Perkins (Sanford, Fla.) with 11 points, Vincent Garrett (Lincoln, Neb.) with 11 points and Bryson Faines (Lincoln, Neb.) with 10 points all joined Rolle in double figures on the night.

STAT SHEET:

Bryan Rolle (Nassau, Bahamas): 18 PTS, 5 REB

Jacob Martin (Omaha, Neb.) 16 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST, 4 STL

Amaire Perkins (Sanford, Fla.): 11 PTS, 3 REB, 7 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Men's Basketball Coach Josh Clark's thoughts on going from a tied contest at halftime to a 23-point victory:

"In the first half our gameplan was to speed them up," Clark said. "We were looking for them to play our pace. We got into foul trouble and couldn't have the exact personnel that we were planning on, but guys stepped up. At halftime the game was tied, and we adjusted for some certain things. We talked about just getting downhill. Once we did that, we started finding open guys. We made the extra pass. Five guys played as one. That was everything that we talked about."

Clark on why things clicked in the second half:

"Every single practice, our defense leads to offense," Clark said. "Every possession we are putting pressure on them. By the time they get on offense they are already tired, and now they have to get back and play defense. We had 23 points in the paint to their nine, and a lot of them were steals. We have 15 guys that can play. If you're on the floor, they are giving every single bit that they have because they know that if they don't, it's next man up. They are selling out, and that's everything that I could ask for. I want guys that play hard, guys that will get into open passing lanes, guys that will dive for loose balls. It creates energy and tonight it was a credit to our bench. We talked all week how the bench is everything, especially on the road, and tonight everyone supported everyone."

Clark on the mindset his squad must have as they hit the road after a 2-0 start:

"One game at a time," Clark said. "We have to keep our head. Not think too highly of ourselves. Cloud County is a tough Division I team. We are going to go in and try and play our game. It's our first road trip, so we'll take it as it comes."

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will head out on the road and will battle Cloud County Community College at 4 p.m. Saturday in Concordia, Kansas.

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