STUART — Elgin-Public Pope John had no answer for the Neligh-Oakdale Warriors hot shooting in the first half.
As a result, the Wolfpack lost 52 to 34 in the opening round of the NVC Boys Basketball Tournament.
The Warriors built a 36 to 18 lead by halftime and went on to win their 15th game of the season.
Alex Kerkman had 15, Tyson Belitz tossed in 11 points and Ben Lingenfelter added 10 to help the Warriors gain the victory.
The Wolfpack were led in scoring by Austin Meis and Zach Eischeid, each with seven points.
EPPJ (6-12) will next be in action on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Chambers/Wheeler Central.
Warriors 52, Wolfpack 34
Wolfpack………10 8 9 7 — 34
Warriors……….17 19 7 9 — 52
Warriors — B. Lingenfelter 10, Tyson Belitz 11, Grant White 7, Zach Miller 1, Chris Bentley 7, Pepper Marchant 0, C. Anderson 1, Alex Kerkman 15, Jordan Chelle 0, Damon Arehart 0. Team totals: 19-52 10-15 52. Three-point shots — Warriors 4 (Grant White 1, Alex Kerkman 3).
Wolfpack — Dylan Behnk 0-2 1-2 1, Chad Bode 1-5 1-5 3, Jack Borer 1-2 0-0 3, Zach Eischeid 2-10 3-4 7, Kyle Heithoff 2-10 0-0 5, Kyle Kallhoff 0-1 0-0 0, Regan Kerkman 0-5 0-0 0, Austin Meis 1-3 5-7 7, Scott Moser 2-5 0-0 4, Seth Schumacher 2-6 0-0 4. Team totals: 11-49 10-17 34. Three-point shots — Wolfpack 2 (Jack Borer 1, Kyle Heithoff 1).
Team statistics: Rebounds — Wolfpack 42 (Zach Eischeid 9, Chad Bode 8), Warriors 36 (Alex Kerkman 8). Assists — Wolfpack 5 (Kyle Heithoff 2), Warriors 13 (Tyson Belitz 8). Steals — Wolfpack 7 (Zach Eischeid 4), Warriors 13 (Tyson Belitz 4). Turnovers — Wolfpack 18, Warriors 10.
