BOBCATS, GOLDEN EAGLES MEET IN NON-CONFERENCE FINALE

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Interstat) — The Southeast Community College Bobcats and Laramie County Community College Golden Eagles will close their non-conference slates Friday when they meet in a men’s junior college basketball game.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Laramie County gymnasium.

Southeast (2-2) enters on a two-game winning streak, most recently a 95-74 home victory over State Fair on Dec. 2. In that game, forward PJ Newbill led the way with 19 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes. Newbill is averaging 19 points and seven rebounds over his last full outing.

Laramie County (5-6) looks to rebound from an 88-79 home loss to McCook on Dec. 6, which snapped a three-game winning streak. The Golden Eagles’ offense has been fueled by guard TJ Coulter, who has been on a scoring tear. Coulter is averaging 27.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists over his last four complete games, including a 33-point, six-rebound, five-assist performance in a win over Salt Lake on Nov. 21.

The Bobcats have relied on balanced scoring behind Newbill, with Chang Deng adding 18 points in the win over State Fair and Owen Bawden contributing eight points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

Laramie County has shown a potent offense at home, scoring 112 points in a win over Otero on Nov. 29, but has struggled with consistency, alternating wins and losses over its past seven games.

This contest is the final tune-up before both teams break for the holiday and resume their schedules in January. Southeast will host Eastern Wyoming on Jan. 7 to begin its conference campaign. Laramie County travels to face Northeastern (Colo.) on Saturday.

Friday’s matchup will hinge on Southeast’s ability to contain Coulter’s high-volume scoring and whether the Bobcats’ recent momentum can overcome a Golden Eagles team seeking to defend its home court and get back above .500.