Bison best Whippets in SWC semifinals

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — McCook took a 9-0 lead and never let Minden get much closer to during the 57-32 Southwest Conference semifinal win Friday.

The Bison nearly matched a 28-point over Minden two weekends earlier, though those Whippets (6-11) rebounded to beat Ainsworth for third place on Saturday.

Sophomore Cole Cappel hit the game’s first shot, senior Logan Barenberg scored inside and then Cappel connected again before Minden tallied a point

Senior Cam Berry’s shot off the glass capped a 17-10 first quarter.

The Whippets stayed within single digits until sophomore Brendan Gillen scored to cap a fast break.

Cappel soon cashed in another trifecta before senior Konor Rakes scored to finish a 35-19 Bison first half.

Barenberg’s next basket ignited a 6-0 Bison run starting the second half. Another Gillen layup made it 47-23.