Hawks Defeat #22 Southeastern

WEST BURLINGTON, IA – The Northeast Community College men’s basketball team picked up a big road win over the weekend – a 62-53 victory over #22 Southeastern Community College here Saturday.

“Southeastern kept making runs, but we eventually had defensive stops and used our transition game to get us back in the contest,” said Hawks Coach Dan Anderson. “This was a good road victory for our guys.”

Northeast dug itself into a hole early as Southeastern took its largest lead of the game, 19-8 with 16:31 remaining in the first half. Clawing its way back, the Hawks took the lead, 24-23 with 6:09 remaining in the first half, but Southeastern regained the lead and took a 30-27 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

Northeast’s Buay Tuach scored eight straight points to start the second half while the Hawks kicked its offense into high gear, taking a 39-34 lead in the first four minutes of the second half. Southeastern eventually tied the ball game at 49 with 4:55 remaining when Steven Soukop made all three free throws after he was fouled on a three point attempt. The Hawks’ Jalen Bradley answered with a mid-range two point shot and Northeast never looked back.

Tuach led all scorers with 16 points while grabbing 10 rebounds – his second double-double of the year. LJ Westbrook was the only other scorer in double-figures for Northeast with 11 points off the bench. Chima Moneke had a team high 15 rebounds and Torrell Sutton recorded four blocks. The Hawks were forced into 21 turnovers, but out rebounded Southeastern 51-34.

Northeast (21-5) will host the Morningside JV as part of a men’s-women’s doubleheader on Thursday at the Cox Activities Center on the Northeast campus in Norfolk. The women’s game begins at 6 p.m. with the men’s game at 8.