Sports – Page 660 – North Platte Post Archive

Fourteen Score in No. 25 NPCC Knights’ Win

Posted on November 16, 2013November 17, 2013

North Platte – The No. 25 North Platte Community College men’s basketball team (7-0) had fourteen players score on Saturday afternoon in their victory over the Doane College JV 89-41 in their last game before Region IX play starts for the Knights next week.

The Knights picked up where they left off last night on the defensive side of the ball as they held Doane JV to only 21 points in the first half and 20 in the second half. On the offensive side of the ball the Knights shot 52 percent from the field for the game and had 21 offensive rebounds. The Knights dominated the boards as they out rebounded Doane JV 52-26.

“We took care of business and did what we were supposed to do this week,” said assistant coach Nathan Wieseler. “A huge week for us next week as we start Region IX play with Otero and Trinidad State.”

North Platte was led by freshman Aireon Porter who finished with a career-high 18 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Tim Simmons and freshman Kenyon Gist were also in double figures with 12 and 10 points respectively. Sophomore Jake Maslo led the Knights in rebounds and assists as he finished with 10 rebounds and four assists.

Also scoring for the Knights were sophomore Ethan Montalvo (9 points), Tre’Vaun Hymer (8 points), Cameron Williams (7 points), Brandon Pressley (6 points), Luke Pittle (5 points), Jimma Lew (4 points), Marcus Linson (3 points), Xavier Hall (2 points), Akau Deng (2 points), Riley Rice (2 points) and Maslo (1 point).

“It was a good game,” said Porter. “It was good to have our team play so well this week before the big games we have next weekend.”

The Knights open up Region IX play next Friday Nov. 22 at home against Otero Junior College (5-1) at 7:30 p.m. and then take on Trinidad State Junior College (3-2) on Saturday Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. in McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.

Michigan State Earns Share of Legends Division Title

Posted on November 16, 2013November 17, 2013

Rosemont, Ill. – With a road victory at Nebraska today, Michigan State secured at least a share of the Legends Division title. The Spartans improved to 6-0 in the Big Ten and 9-1 overall to register their second division crown in the last three seasons.

The Cornhuskers and Minnesota both stand at 4-2 in conference and maintain hopes for a share of the division crown. The Legends Division representative to the Big Ten Football Championship Game is not yet determined, as the Gophers hold the tiebreaker over Nebraska based on their head-to-head victory on Oct. 26 and conclude the regular season at MSU. All three schools are in action next Saturday, with Michigan State at Northwestern, Minnesota hosting Wisconsin and Nebraska at Penn State.

In the Leaders Division, both Ohio State and Wisconsin earned wins today and remain in contention for the division title and Big Ten Football Championship Game berth. The Buckeyes maintained their unblemished record at 6-0 in the conference and 10-0 overall, matching a school record with their 22nd straight victory. The three-time defending Big Ten Champion Badgers are now 5-1 in conference and 8-2 overall, with their lone Big Ten loss to OSU on Sept. 28. Ohio State hosts Indiana while Wisconsin plays at Minnesota next Saturday.

The third annual Big Ten Football Championship Game will be held in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis onSaturday, Dec. 7, with the winner earning the Amos Alonzo Stagg Championship Trophy and a chance to play in one of two historic games in Pasadena, Calif. – the 100th Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1 or the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game on Jan. 6. Ticket blocks are being held for the representatives from the Legends and Leaders Divisions and will be sold through university ticket offices. Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000. Every Big Ten Football Championship Game ticket will allow complimentary admission to the Big Ten Fan Fest presented by Dr Pepper, to be held at the Indiana Convention Center on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7. For more information on Big Ten Football Championship Game tickets, go to www.bigten.org.

No. 14 Michigan St. Beats Turnover-Prone Nebraska 41-28

Posted on November 16, 2013November 17, 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — No. 14 Michigan State converted five Nebraska turnovers into 24 points and took a big step toward winning the Big Ten Legends Division with a 41-28 victory on Saturday.

Jeremy Langford ran 32 times for 151 yards and scored two touchdowns, and Keith Mumphrey caught a 27-yard touchdown from Connor Cook in the fourth quarter after the Cornhuskers pulled within six points.

The Spartans (9-1, 6-0) beat the Huskers (7-3, 4-2) for the first time in eight all-time meetings.

They would clinch the division with a win at Northwestern next week or a loss by Minnesota in either of its last two games. Michigan State plays Minnesota to end the regular season.

Big Ten leading rusher Ameer Abdullah ran 22 times for 123 yards for Nebraska. He went over 100 yards for the seventh straight game and eighth time this season and is the first player to do it against the Spartans.

Nebraska State Lawmaker Targets Cougar Hunting

Posted on November 16, 2013November 17, 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State Sen. Ernie Chambers is warning that he will oppose every proposal the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission brings to the Legislature as long as it allows mountain lions to be hunted.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports (http://bit.ly/19tzTCJ) that Chambers, of Omaha, issued the warning Friday to Roger Kuhn, parks division administrator.

Kuhn was before the Legislature’s Executive Board with two requests to accept donations of land and a playground structure. Chambers said he would vote against the requests, because he is upset that the Game and Parks Commission has approved a mountain lion hunting season for next year.

Chambers said he considers mountain lions “to be regal animals.”

Dubuque Prevails In Back-And-Forth Contest

Posted on November 16, 2013November 17, 2013

DUBUQUE, Ia. – In a back and forth affair that saw both teams lose leads, the Dubuque Fighting Saints (10-3-1) scored two goals in the final half of the third period and defeated the Tri-City Storm (4-8-2) 6-4 on Friday night at the Mystique Community Ice Center.

The Storm got goals from Chris Wilkie, Cutler Martin, Chase Berger and Christian Horn in defeat, while Kevin Kerr scored his first USHL point, picking up an assist.

Tri-City opened the scoring just 4:56 into the game on a perfectly executed passing play in front of the Dubuque net. Martin found Wilkie in front and the forward tapped in his third goal of the season to make it 1-0. Forward Ross Olsson had the second assist on the goal.

But the Fighting Saints responded, scoring three straight goals in the opening period to take a 3-1 lead at the end of one frame. Defenseman Dylan Chanter scored with an extra attacker on a delayed penalty call, while forwards Max McHugh and Robbie Darrar also tallied goals in the opening period for Dubuque.

The Storm came out with momentum in the second however, and scored two consecutive goals to tie up the game, 3-3.

Martin found the back of the net for the first time this season at 2:16 and made it a 3-2 game. Then it was Chase Berger who tied things up, scoring his fourth of the season in front from Kerr on an abbreviated power play.

Dubuque regained the lead less than three minutes after Berger tied it, taking advantage of an extended five-on-three advantage. Shane Eiserman scored the goal with assists from Dylan Gambrell and Seamus Malone.

The Saints had a 4-3 lead heading into the third, but Tri-City tied things up once again on a power play goal by Christian Horn. It was Horn’s second tally of the year, as he took a pass from forward Joel L’Esperance and beat former Storm goaltender Christian Frey to make it 4-4.

With just over eight minutes remaining in the game, the Saints took advantage of a miscommunication in the Tri-City end and the puck wound up in the back of the net. Andrew Gaus was credited with the unassisted goal and Dubuque had the lead for good.

A final tally from Jason Ford sealed the win for the Fighting Saints, who are undefeated (7-0-0) in front of their home fans in Dubuque.

Tri-City will continue on to Sioux Falls, where they will face the Stampede on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. The Storm will return home on Nov. 29-30 for a weekend series with the Lancers at the Viaero Event Center.

Notes: The Storm scratched forward Joey DiBenedetto and defensemen Sean Lang and Jalen Schulz. Forward Drew Mayer was also scratched, serving a five-game suspension.…

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period

Tri-City – Chris Wilkie (Cutler Martin, Ross Olsson) 4:53

Dubuque – Dylan Chanter (extra attacker) (Blake Hillman, Eric Robinson) 8:36

Dubuque – Max McHugh (Brett Boeing, Phil Boje) 12:12

Dubuque – Robby Darrar (power play) (Jarrid Privitera, Dylan Gambrell) 15:16

2nd Period

Tri-City – Cutler Martin (unassisted) 2:16

Tri-City – Chase Berger (power play) (Kevin Kerr) 11:28

Dubuque – Shane Eiserman (power play) (Dylan Gambrell, Seamus Malone) 14:05

3rd Period

Tri-City – Christian Horn (power play) (Joel L’Esperance) 3:51

Dubuque – Andrew Gaus (unassisted) 11:48

Dubuque – Jason Ford (Robby Darrar, Eric Robinson) 14:23

PENALTIES

1st Period

Tri-City – Tory Dello – (Holding), 2 min, 13:21

Dubuque – Seamus Malone – (Interference), 2 min, 17:38

2nd Period

Tri-City – Cutler Martin – (Fighting), 5 min, 5:40

Dubuque – Shane Eiserman – (Fighting), 5 min, 5:40

Tri-City – Tory Dello – (Tripping), 2 min, 6:26

Tri-City – Christian Horn – (Tripping), 2 min, 9:11

Dubuque – Robby Darrar – (Checking From Behind), 2 min, 9:44

Dubuque – Robby Darrar – (Checking From Behind) (Misconduct), 10 min, 9:44

Dubuque – Max McHugh – (Delay of Game), 2 min, 13:02

Tri-City – Nolan Gluchowski – (Delay of Game), 2 min, 13:02

Tri-City – Garrett Cecere – (Checking From Behind), 2 min, 13:02

Tri-City – Garrett Cecere – (Checking From Behind) (Misconduct), 10 min, 13:02

Tri-City – Nick Hutchison – (Slashing), 2 min, 13:31

3rd Period

Dubuque – Eric Robinson – (Hooking), 2 min, 2:25

Tri-City – Ross Olsson – (Charging), 2 min, 6:21

Tri-City – Ross Olsson – (High Sticking), 2 min, 16:10

Dubuque – Phil Boje – (Roughing), 2 min, 16:10

Power Play

Tri-City – 2/3

Dubuque – 2/6

Shots

Tri-City: 7, 13, 4 = Total: 24

Dubuque: 15, 16, 10 = Total: 41

Saves

Tri-City – Jacob Johansson – 35/41

Dubuque – Christian Frey – 20/24

Sports Stars Go to Social Media Supporting Batkid

Posted on November 15, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The sports world went batty for the Batkid.

San Francisco 49ers stars Anquan Boldin, Joe Staley, Anthony Davis — and coach Jim Harbaugh, too — all gave shoutouts to 5-year-old Miles Scott, who took over as his favorite superhero Friday and received a police escort as he scurried around San Francisco to save Gotham through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The San Francisco Giants and Oakland Raiders also cheered him, along with Stanford baseball.

Even rival teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres got into the fun and posted their support for the boy, who has battled leukemia for years but is now in remission after undergoing treatment.

Offered Harbaugh: “Saving lives for the day, I love it. It’s so good. A good deed in a weary world.”

Husker Offense Stifles Spartans

Posted on November 15, 2013

Lincoln, Neb. – The No. 9 Nebraska volleyball team (19-8, 8-7) swept the No. 16 Michigan State Spartans 3-0 (25-23, 25-13, 25-22) in front of 8,041 fans at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Friday night. With the victory, the Huskers recorded their seventh consecutive win.

Nebraska posted its best attacking performance of the year with a season-high team hitting percentage of .402. Four different Huskers hit .400 or better, as Kadie Rolfzen led the way with a .455 hitting clip. Kelsey Robinson guided NU offensively with 14 kills on 28 swings for a .428 hitting percentage, while Kadie Rolfzen notched 11 kills on 22 swings. Amber Rolfzen tallied 10 kills on 17 swings for a .412 hitting percentage, while Meghan Haggerty had five kills on nine attacks for a .444 hitting clip.

Mary Pollmiller and Robinson also notched double-doubles on the night. Pollmiller handed out 33 assists and notched 11 digs, while Robinson tallied 11 digs to go along with her 14 kills.

Nebraska out-blocked the Spartans 7-5 and out-dug MSU 35-29. Michigan State hit .225 for the match.

An ace from Robinson ignited the Huskers in the first set, giving Nebraska a 7-2 lead. The Spartans cut into NU’s lead at 11-9, but the Huskers came back to go up 15-10 at the media timeout. Michigan State came back again to make it 19-18, Nebraska, but a kill from Robinson put the Huskers at set point, 24-20. The Spartans pushed NU to three set points, but the Huskers held on for a 25-23 first-set win.

Robinson led NU in the first set with five kills, while Amber Rolfzen had three kills. Pollmiller tallied nine assists, while the Huskers hit .391 for the set. Michigan State hit .273 and NU out-blocked MSU 3-2.

Amber Rolfzen helped the Huskers to a 6-2 lead in the second set, while a kill from Hall made it 13-7, Huskers. Amber Rolfzen came through again, stretching NU’s lead to 17-7. Robinson kept NU in control at 21-11, as Meghan Haggerty helped the Huskers to a 25-13 second-set win.

Six kills from Robinson led NU in the second set, while Amber Rolfzen tallied five kills on five attacks, with no errors. Pollmiller dished out 12 assists as the Huskers hit .500 for the set. Michigan State was held to a .031 hitting clip.

Michigan State took an early lead in the third set, but Kadie Rolfzen used back-to-back kills to even the set at 7-7. The Huskers rallied for three-straight points to take a 13-12 lead and force Michigan State to call a timeout. An error from the Spartans made it 19-15, NU, while Amber Rolfzen put NU ahead 22-19. Kadie Rolfzen sealed the win for the Huskers with a termination, guiding NU to the 25-22 third-set win.

Kadie Rolfzen tallied seven kills in the final set, while Robinson had three. Pollmiller tabbed 12 assists as Nebraska hit .333 for the set. Michigan State hit .351 in the final set.

The Huskers return to action tomorrow evening as Nebraska hosts the Michigan Wolverines at 7:30 p.m. at the Devaney Center.

Theriot’s 28 Fuels Big Red Road Rally

Posted on November 15, 2013

Salt Lake City – Rachel Theriot scored 19 of her career-high 28 points in the second half to lead No. 15 Nebraska to its first road win of the season at Utah on Friday night.

Theriot, a 6-0 sophomore point guard from Middleburg Heights, Ohio, added seven rebounds and four assists while playing the full 40 minutes to offset a 27-point, 12-rebound effort from Utah All-America forward Michelle Plouffe.

Theriot dominated the second half with 19 points and five rebounds while going a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw. Theriot’s 19 second-half points matched her previous career game high, which came last season in a win over Iowa (Feb. 24). Theriot’s free throws were career bests, too. In fact, last season she hit just 10 free throws all year while starting 28 games.

“Rachel played great basketball and had the hot hand,” Nebraska Coach Connie Yori said. “She did a lot of good things for us and really kind of carried us in the second half. Our free throw shooting was great, and we did a good job of controlling the boards. We can learn a lot from our late-game situations. It was a great road win.”

Late-game free throw shooting was the difference for the Big Red, who improved to 3-0 on the season. Nebraska went 10-for-10 at the line in final 1:30 to hold off a late rally by the Utes after NU had built a nine-point lead. As a team, Nebraska went 18-for-21 (.857) from the line, while hitting 39.1 percent (25-64) of its shots from the field. NU went 7-for-18 from three-point range.

Utah, which was the 2013 WNIT runner-up, slipped to 1-1 on the young season.

Nebraska All-American Jordan Hooper notched her second double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Emily Cady just missed a double-double of her own with 13 points, nine rebounds and three assists, but missed most of the final 12 minutes of the game with foul trouble.

True freshman Allie Havers stepped up in a big way for the Huskers. The 6-5 center from Paw Paw, Mich., got six points and six rebounds in the second half in place of Cady. Havers finished with seven points and seven boards, including a pair of clutch free throws in the final minutes.

Hailie Sample also hit two clutch free throws with 13.3 seconds after Utah had cut the NU margin to 71-69. Sample had all six of her points in the second half after sitting out all but six minutes of the first half with foul trouble.

Junior Tear’a Laudermill also provided the Huskers with a big lift off the bench at both ends. The guard from Riverside, Calif., finished with eight points while also forcing Nebraska’s first 10-second call of the season midway through the second half. Laudermill hit back-to-back threes in the first-half after Sample exited with two quick fouls. Both of Laudermill’s threes came with NU trailing by seven points in the first seven minutes.

Nebraska outrebounded Utah, 45-34 on the night, but lost the turnover battle 11-9 in a game with a post-season feel to it.

Utah point guard Danielle Rodriguez managed a career-high 16 points to keep the Utes within striking distance, while fellow guard Cheyenne Wilson hit a career-high-tying three threes in the first half. Utah finished the game at 41.7 percent (25-60) from the field, including 10-of-20 from long range. The Utes were 9-of-14 at the foul line.

The Huskers trailed 41-36 as Utah’s Plouffe pumped in 17 points, while the Utes got big contributions from Wilson (9 points, 3 3FG) and Rodriguez (9 points, 2 3FG). Utah hit 8-of-11 three-pointers in the first half and 50 percent (14-28) overall from the field in the first half. Utah also went 5-of-6 at the free throw line.

Nebraska answered with 6-of-11 three-point shooting, including three threes from Hooper and a pair for Laudermill. Cady led the Huskers with 11 points and six boards in the first half, while Hooper added nine points and eight boards. Theriot stepped up with nine points, two rebounds and three assists.

The Huskers hit just 13-of-33 shots overall and 4-of-5 free throws and outrebounded Utah, 21-13. However, the Huskers lost the turnover battle 7-3.

Nebraska returns home to open a four-game home stand on Thursday night, when the Huskers play host to Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Tip-off between the Big Red and Lady Lions is set for 7 p.m. with tickets available now at Huskers.com.

No. 25 NPCC Knights Increase Defensive Intensity in Win Over Midland JV

Posted on November 15, 2013

North Platte – The #25 North Platte Community College men’s basketball team (6-0) turned up the defensive intensity Friday night against Midland College JV en route to a 91-53 win.

The Knights started off the game with a good defensive effort as they raced out to a 24-8 lead with 10 minutes left and built it to 36-13 before taking a 30-47 lead into intermission. In the second half the Knights continued their strong play as they would outscore Midland JV 44-23.

“I thought we came out and competed hard,” said head coach Kevin O’Connor. “We saw some guys do some things in a game that we have seen them do in practice which was good to see.”

The Knights were led by freshman Cameron Williams‘ 16 points and freshman Aireon Porter‘s double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds). Also scoring in double figures for the Knights was sophomore Ethan Montalvo who finished with 15 points. Sophomore Tre’Vaun Hymer scored nine points and collected seven rebounds.

“I tried to be more aggressive tonight,” said Williams. “It was a good team win and I am looking forward to playing again tomorrow.”

North Platte returns to action tomorrow as Doane College JV comes to town for a 3 p.m. tip in McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. The game can be heard on ESPN Radio 1410 with Robert Lovell on the call.

The Knights open up Region IX play Nov. 22 and 23 against Otero Junior College (4-1) at 7:30 p.m. and Trinidad State Junior College (3-2) at 2 p.m. respectively.

Johnson’s Historic Day Lifts Huskers, 4-0

Posted on November 15, 2013

Lincoln – The No. 2-seeded Nebraska soccer team advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament with a historic four-goal performance from freshman Jaycie Johnson on Friday as the Huskers defeated Southeastern Louisiana 4-0 at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

A native of Winnebago, Mo., Johnson is the fifth player in NCAA Tournament history to score four goals in a tournament match and the first freshman to accomplish the feat. She becomes the first NU player to notch four goals in an NCAA Tournament match and the just the fourth Husker to record four scores in a match.

The Second Team All-Big Ten honoree finished with career highs in goals (4), shots (9) and shots on goal (7) as she worked 59 minutes in Nebraska’s first NCAA Tournament match since 2005. Johnson’s 17 goals this season are tied for second best in Nebraska history amongst freshman.

The Scarlet and Cream took little time producing on offense as senior midfielder Jordan Jackson connected with Johnson on a one-two play from the right side of the box as NU’s leading goal scorer put it over the keeper from close range. Jackson’s assist gave the senior her 100th career point as NU took a 1-0 edge just 3:45 into the match.

Johnson struck once again in the 24th minute as the forward dribbled through four defenders from 35 yards into the box after a pass from Mayme Conroy. The speedy freshman finished it off from six out to the bottom left corner for the 2-0 lead.

In the 52nd minute, Jaycie Johnson registered the third NCAA Tournament hat trick in Nebraska soccer history off a corner from Sam Areman on a bouncing cross to the far post. Just four minutes later, Johnson added to the outstanding performance by heading home a crossing pass from Jackson to the far post for her fourth goal of the match.

The 10th-ranked Huskers (19-3-1) are riding the fifth-best win streak in school history at 10 games and have won 17 of their last 18 matches for the first time since 2000. The 19 victories, fourth most in program history, are NU’s most since 2000, while scores in 19 consecutive matches are the most since that same season.

The Huskers are 16-10 all-time in their 11th trip to the NCAA Tournament and have never lost in the First Round. Nebraska has an 11-5-1 home record in the NCAA Tournament. The Scarlet and Cream are 15-0-1 when scoring 2 or more goals this season and 13-0-1 both when scoring first and when leading at the half.

Nebraska picked up its eighth shutout of the year behind a solid performance from both the offensive and defense units. Senior goalkeeper Emma Stevens earned her fifth clean sheet of the year, stopping three shots, while the offense produced a season-high 35 attempts, with 17 on target. SLU’s keeper Hope Sabadash was impressive, despite allowing four scores, making 13 saves.

Senior defender Ari Romero once again played the entire match on the back line for NU, extending her streak to 14 contests where she worked every second. Freshman Sydney Miramontez registered a career-high six shot attempts, including two on goal. Jackson also recorded six shot attempts, while putting four on target on her way to posting two assists.

The Huskers move on to face the winner of Northeastern and Boston College. NU’s Second Round contest will take place on Friday, Nov. 22 at a time and location to be announced on Sunday. Nebraska looks to notch its seventh Sweet 16 appearance with a victorynext Friday.