Moose pull away from host Homer

HOMER — Host Homer Mariners tried to pull off the big upset on their home court, but a second-quarter push gave the Moose some space. And Palmer proved to be too much for the Mariners in the second half.

Palmer closed the second quarter on an 11-2 run and grabbed a 65-38 victory over Homer during the first round of the Northern Lights Conference Championships at Homer High on Thursday.

Senior Sean Niekamp scored all 16 of his points during the first half and sophomore Connor Looney contributed 10 of his 13 points during the third to help the Moose move on to the semifinal round where they’ll play Kodiak tonight at 8:15.

Palmer assistant Jake Collins said by cell phone after the game that the Moose were able to take advantage when Homer’s top post player got in foul trouble in the second quarter. Collins said the Moose worked the ball inside to Niekamp, and the senior post hit a pair of shots and got to the free throw line.

“Sean coulnd’t be handled,” Collins said.

Homer had cut Palmer’s lead to 19-17, but Niekamp went to the basket to push Palmer’s lead back to four points. Senior Christian Odom soon gave the Moose the six point advantage with his lone basket of the second quater.

Late in the half, freshman James Nisbett hit a pair of free throws to stretch Palmer’s lead to 11.

“That really helped us turn the corner,” Collins said.

In the third it was Looney who helped spark the Moose and Palmer finished strong with 34 second-half points.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com. For NLC tournament updates, see twitter.com/matsu_sports.

Palmer 65, Homer 38

NLC quarterfinals

Thursday, Homer High

Palmer 17-15-16-18—65

Homer 10-9-9-10—38

Palmer (65) — Odom 3 0-0 6, Looney 5 2-3 13, Nisbett 1 4-4 6, Dean 1 0-0 3, Straight 1 0-0 2, Hills 1 0-0 2, Buresh 2 3-4 7, Montgomery 0 1-2 1, Niekamp 5 6-7 16, Fullmer 4 0-0 9; Totals: 23 16-22 66.

Homer (38) — Reutov 1 2-2 4, Johnson 1 0-0 2, Cotney 2 4-7 8, Reinhert 1 0-1 2, Jester 2 2-2 7, Glosser 4 0-0 8, Kennelty 2 0-0 4, Moyer 0 3-4 3; Totals: 13 11-15 38.

Three-point field goals: Palmer 3 (3 tied with 1), Homer 1 (Jester 1); Total fouls: Palmer 14, Homer 16.