OTTUMWA, IA – The Northeast Community College men’s basketball team picked a big win on the road here Saturday, winning an overtime battle over #9 Indian Hills Community College, 134-128. With the victory, the Hawks improve to 18-4 overall and 3-1 in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference. Northeast and Indian Hills are tied at the top in league standings.

In a game that saw nine ties and 12 lead changes, Northeast had one point lead with 11 minutes remaining in the first half, 32-31.The Falcons ended the first half with a fury of buckets to take a 60-49 lead. Indian Hills started the second half as it finished the first with its largest lead of the game, 19 points, with 7:44remaining of the game.

A Kevin Metoyer layup for the Hawks cut Indian Hills’ lead to 109-99 with 2:48 remaining. A series of defensive stops and relentless scoring efforts forced Northeast to foul with 12.4 seconds remaining in regulation. After Indian Hills missed one of two free throws, Metoyer hit a three point shot with 2.6 seconds remaining to tie the ball game at 115. Neither team got a shot off as regulation ended.

Northeast outscored Indian Hills, 19-13 in overtime, and connected on all eight of its free throws to go on to claim the win.

“I’m so proud of our guys. They never quit and kept battling all night,” said Dan Anderson, Hawks coach. “We played timid for the first 25 minutes of the ball game and then we started to play to our ability. I cannot praise this team enough for how they continue to grow and rise to the challenges that are presented to them.”

Jalen Bradley led the Hawks in scoring with 42 points – 33 of which came in the second half. He connected on five three point shots and was 11 of 12 from the free throw line. Chime Moneke tallied 22 points and Buay Tuach scored 19 while both chased down nine rebounds. Metoyer recorded a double-double, scoring 18 points and handing 13 assists. Torrell Sutton also recorded 18 points and took five charges throughout the game.

Northeast forced Indian Hills into 32 turnovers and shot 75 percent from the free throw line.

The Hawks return home for its next contest on Tuesday as its hosts State Fair Community College of Sedalia, MO. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in the Cox Activities Center on the campus of Northeast Community College in Norfolk.