MCC men top Lamar CC 73-65

The McCook Community College men snapped a three-game losing streak with a 73-65 win Tuesday at home over Lamar Community College.

“It’s good to get back in the win column and defend like we needed to,” said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. “That was one area where we haven’t been very good lately.”

The Indians MCC got off to a hot start and took a 26-12 lead with 5:33 left in the half but eventually Lamar was able to trim the halftime lead to 32-22.

“We were up 12 with the ball and a chance to take the last shot but take a jumper with 12 seconds left, they get the rebound get it up the floor, we foul them, they make two free throws and all of a sudden it’s a 10-point game, “said Brandl. “And then they come out in the second half and make their first-two baskets and it’s a six-point game.”

The Indians responded with an 8-0 run to lead 40-26 at the 17:00 mark. Twice more Lamar chipped into the lead cutting it to seven points at the 12:02 mark (50-43).

MCC went up by 16 points with 9:20 to play but again Lamar cut the gap to seven with 5:30 left to play (62-54).

“This is kind of what happened to us against Southeast a couple weeks ago and we never recovered,” said Brandl. “But credit to our guys for learning through that and playing well in the second half.”

Lamar shot 33.8 percent for the game, made six of 19 from the 3-point arc and was 13 of 17 from the line.

MCC shot 39.1 percent from the field, 31.4 percent on 11-for-35 from the 3-point line and just nine of 18 from the free-throw line.

“To hold them to 65 points and 34 percent from the field was good and limiting our turnovers to 10 was nice as well,” said Brandl.

Sophomore Ridley Shema (London, England) scored 20 points off the bench to lead MCC in scoring. He made four of 10 3-pointers and grabbed six boards.

“We’ve been searching for somebody on our bench to step up and play well and it was Ridley’s night,” said Brandl. “He made the shots when we needed them and did a good job defensively as well.”

Freshman Louie Tucker (Bristol, England) scored 17 points and led MCC with 11 rebounds.

MCC outrebounded LCC 40-32.

“I thought we rebounded well obviously Louie got some big rebounds for us,” said Brandl.

Freshman Bryan Akanmu (Paris, France) scored 14 points and grabbed eight boards. Sophomore Zeki Cavli (Bodrum, Turkey) made three of six 3-pointers and scored 11 points. Jaxson Brandl (freshman, Tribune, Kan.) had seven rebounds along with four points.

“My only complaint was at the free-throw line,” said Brandl. “We were up 16 and we allow them to cut that lead back by not being very smart with turnovers, quick shots and missing free throws.”

Lamar falls to 0-5 in the Region IX South standings and 7-16 overall.

MCC improves to 4-3 in the standings and 9-14. With the win the Indians move up to third place with Western Nebraska downing Northeastern Junior College Tuesday 83-81.

MCC travels to Sterling, Colo. for a matchup with NJC followed with a road game Tuesday at North Platte.

MCC’s next home game will be Feb. 16 against Western Nebraska.

Up-to-date information about MCC basketball including schedules, statistics, rosters and photos can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com.

 

Men’s Region IX South Standings
                          W-L   PCT    Overall
Trinidad State  6-1    .857     17-6

Western Neb.   6-1  .857     16-8
McCook           4-3  .571     9-14
Northeastern    3-3   .400    10-11
Otero JC           2-5    .286     9-15

North Platte     2-5   .286    11-11             

Lamar CC         0-5    .000     7-16