MCC Men drop non-conference game to Northeast CC
NORFOLK – Despite having five players scoring double-figures, the McCook Community College men dropped a non-conference game to Northeast Community College Saturday 95-89.
“Defensively we need to figure some things out – and in a hurry," said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. "That end of the floor is just killing us."
The Indians turned the ball over 12 times and forced 22 NECC turnovers and converted them into 31 points.
The Hawks shot 50.8 percent from the field on eight fewer shots, made 10 of 28 3-pointers (35.7 percent) and went 21 of 27 from the line (77.8 percent). Northeast led at the half 42-39.
"You look at stats and how that game went and only have 12 turnovers to their 22 and attempting eight more shots should be a win," said Brandl. “But in every toughness category such as rebounds and making free throws and defense they just beat us up."
MCC shot 46.5 percent from the field, made 30 percent of their 30 shots from the 3-point line and went 14 of 21 from the free-throw line (66.7 percent.)
Sophomore Ty Foster (Bronx, N.Y.) and freshman Louie Tucker (Bristol, England) tied for team-best points with 20 each. Martel Evans (sophomore, Omaha Creighton Prep) put in 18, freshman Bryan Akanmu (Paris, France) scored 13 and sophomore Zeki Cavli (Bodrum, Turkey) had 12 – all from the 3-point line.
"It was good to see offense get going a little bit against the zone. Zeki was pretty good. Martel was still effective in the zone and Louie could have had 40 with the looks he had but couldn't get it to fall in the first half,” said Brandl.
Tucker led the Indians with eight rebounds. Northeast outrebounded MCC 45-24.
"It’s hard to get rebounds when they shoot 50 percent because there aren’t a lot of opportunities, but man defensively was not a good night and hasn't been the last three games," said Brandl.
The Hawks go to 8-12 on the season.
MCC goes to 8-14 overall.
The Indians will be home Tuesday for a Region IX game with Lamar. The Runnin’ Lopes are 7-15 on the season and 0-4 in the Region IX south standings, last among the seven teams. MCC is 3-3 and is fourth in the standings. Tipoff is set for about 7:30 p.m., following the women's game that starts at 5:30 p.m.
“Our end goal is still in sight and attainable, but our group has got to get that hunger and drive back that we had to start the second semester and we need to get it back fast," said Brandl.
Up-to-date information about MCC basketball including schedules, statistics, rosters and photos can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com.
