Nevada attacked the lane repeatedly and either scored from close range or kicked the ball out to open shooters from behind the arc, and the result was a 61-55 Heart of Iowa Conference victory for the Cubs.

Despite shooting just 38 percent overall (20 of 53), Nevada (3-3, 3-1 HOIC) outscored South Hamilton 27-9 from the arc and slowly created enough distance to send the Hawks to their second consecutive loss.

“Credit to Nevada, they came out and they wanted it more for 32 minutes, and they were the better team,” South Hamilton head coach Matt Juber said. “We played well in spurts, but after the first couple of minutes, it was one or two steps forward and two steps back. We just weren’t consistent on the offensive or defensive end.”

South Hamilton (3-2, 1-1 HOIC) built a 30-27 edge on the glass, but nearly half of Nevada’s caroms came at the offensive end of the floor. Extended possessions led to plenty of second-chance points and added to the frustrations that Juber felt as he watched from the sideline.

South Hamilton’s Austin Busch (14) powers up a shot from the block during Tuesday’s Heart of Iowa Conference clash with Nevada. DFJ photo/Angela Hewitt

“We had a hard time cutting off penetration from the perimeter, we weren’t disciplined in the paint … and credit to them, they capitalized on a lot of our mistakes.”

Collin Memmer led Nevada with 14 points, while Ty Dittmer and Adyn Rhodes both notched 13. They combined to splash in six of the Cubs’ triples.

Nevada headed into the intermission in front 25-21 and then did just enough down the stretch to keep South Hamilton at bay.

Austin Busch and Carter Hewitt did the majority of the damage at the offensive end for South Hamilton, as both posted a double-double. Busch tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Hewitt finished with 12 points and 10 boards. Landen Skartvedt trickled in nine points; Freddie Lewis and Clayton Ubben scored seven each.

The issues South Hamilton did have offensively were primarily contributed to the team’s season-high 18 turnovers.

“It’s hard to get into any sort of rhythm when you’re not protecting the basketball and getting quality possessions,” Juber said.

It won’t get any easier for South Hamilton on Friday when it welcomes rival Roland-Story to Coach Jim Marsh Court. The Norsemen (2-0, 1-0 HOIC) own a 60-56 win over Nevada.

Nevada 61, South Hamilton 55

Tuesday at Nevada

South Hamilton (3-2, 1-1 HOIC) — Freddie Lewis 3 0-0 7, Tycin Barkema 1 0-0 3, Carter Hewitt 4 4-7 12, Austin Busch 8 1-2 17, Landen Skartvedt 4 0-0 9, Kyler Hodnefield 0 0-1 0, Clayton Ubben 3 1-2 7. Totals: 23 6-12 55.

Nevada (3-3, 3-1 HOIC) — Cooper Bovee 2 0-0 5, James Edwards 2 1-2 6, Jacob Joe 1 0-3 2, Ty Dittmer 4 2-2 13, Caleb Kooiker 0 0-0 0, Colin Memmer 3 6-7 14, Carson Rhodes 2 1-1 5, Spencer Grant 1 0-0 3, Ayden Rhodes 5 2-4 13. Totals: 20 12-19 61.

S. Hamilton 17 4 14 20 — 55

Nevada 18 7 14 22 — 61

3-point field goals — SH 3 (Lewis, Barkema, Skartvedt); Nevada 9 (Dittmer 3, Memmer 2, Bovee, Edwards, Grant, A. Rhodes). Rebounds — SH 30 (Hewitt 10, Busch 10). Steals — SH 5 (Lewis 2). Assists — SH 12 (Hodnefield 5). Turnovers — SH 18. Team fouls — SH 18, Nevada 16. Fouled out — SH: Skartvedt, Hodnefield.