Huge comeback lifts NIACC men, 100-93
NORFOLK, Neb. - Down 20 at the half, no problem.
The NIACC men's basketball team trailed 52-32 at the half, but the Trojans outscored Northeast CC 68-41 in the second 20 minutes to claim a 100-93 ICCAC victory on Saturday afternoon.
Freshmen guards Omarion Roberts and Marquel Newsome combined to score 49 points to power the Trojan offense. Roberts led the way with 25 points and Newsome was next in line with 24 points.
It's the second time in the last three games that two Trojans scored at least 20 points. Against Iowa Western on Dec. 9, Jordan Brown scored 23 points and Roberts scored 20 points.
The 25 points by Roberts was a career-high. The Silvis, Ill. native, whose previous career-best was 21 points against DMACC, has scored at least 18 points in four of his last five games.
The 24 points by Newsome, who is from Peoria, Ill., was also a career-high. Newsome's previous career high was 18 points in the season-opener against Bryant & Stratton (Wis.).
Newsome also collected a career-best six steals, three assists and two rebounds. Roberts also had five rebounds, three steals and two assists.
The 100 points by the Trojans is the most they have scored in a game this season. The previous high-point total came in a 90-81 win over Southeast CC on Nov. 26.
The last time the Trojans scored at least 100 points in game came in a 104-99 win over Ellsworth in the 2022-23 regular season finale.
NIACC (8-6 overall, 2-2 in the ICCAC) also received 16 points from sophomore Wyatt Helming and 11 points from freshman Jordan Brown.
NIACC was 29 of 44 from the free-throw line. Roberts was 13 of 16 from the charity stripe and Newsome was 6 of 8.
The 29 made free throws is the most by a NIACC men's team since the Trojans were 31 of 37 in a 105-91 win over Iowa Lakes on Feb. 5, 2020.
The 44 free-throw attempts is the most in a game by a NIACC men's team since the Trojans were 35 of 48 in a 97-90 loss to Iowa Lakes on Feb. 18, 2015.
NIACC was 11 of 26 from 3-point range. Roberts led the Trojans with four 3-point goals with Newsome and Brayden Drea each making two 3-pointers.
It is the fourth time this season that the Trojans have connected on at least 10 3-point goals with a season-high of 12 twice (against Southeast CC and Marshalltown CC).
NIACC returns to action Jan. 3 at home against Ellsworth in an ICCAC contest. Game time in the NIACC gym is slated for 3 p.m.
