North Platte races past MCC men 93-65

The McCook Community College men got off to a hot start Tuesday but were blown out at home by North Platte Community College 93-65.

The Indians had a 15-6 lead just past the four-minute mark of the first half. NPCC went on a 9-0 run to tie the game with 12:01 left in the half. The Indians responded to take a 27-19 lead but got into foul trouble and had to bring in subs.

The Knights went on a 23-6 run to close out the half.

“We started off ready to go. I thought we paid attention to detail, playing hard and doing a good job on the glass and executing everything we wanted,” said Brandl, “but then we got into foul trouble and that completely changed the game.’

North Platte continued the momentum in the second half and outscored the Indians 51-32, leading by as many as 31.

“We just never got back. I didn’t like our body language in the second half, and I didn’t think we did a good job sticking with the game plan that was working in the first half,” said Brandl.

North Platte shot 51.5 percent for the game, made four of 14 from the arc (28.6 percent) and made 21 of 26 free throws (80.8 percent). The Knights won the rebound battle 42-33.

MCC shot 35.3 percent from the field, hit on just four of 25 3-pointers (16 percent) and made 13 of 17 free throws (76.5 percent).

“This is two games in a row now that we’ve played some of our worst offensive basketball,” said Brandl.

Sophomore Martel Evans (Omaha Creighton Prep) led MCC with 22 points, including 15 in the first half. He was the only Indian in double-figures. Sophomore Brandon Kabuya Mpoyi (Paris, France) led MCC with nine rebounds.

“We didn’t get to the line and we have to figure out some different ways because we’re not getting those foul calls like we did earlier in the season,” said Brandl. “From a coaching standpoint we need to sit down and figure out some things that will give us a better chance.”

The Knights go to 10-10 and 2-4 in the Region IX south standings.

The Indians fall to 8-13 and 3-3 in the region.

“This season is long from over,” said Brandl. “We got blasted by North Platte here my first two years here and ended up making a run.”

MCC hits the road for a non-conference game at Norfolk against Northeast Community College. The Indians beat the Hawks 93-87 Nov. 18 at the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center.

The next home game for MCC will be Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. against Lamar Community College.

 

Region IX South Standings

                        W-L      PCT    Overall

Trinidad State   6-1       .833      16-6

Western Neb.    4-1       .800      14-8

Northeastern     3-1       .750      9-9

McCook            3-3       .500      8-13

Otero JC           2-4       .333      9-14

North Platte      2-4       .333      10-10

Lamar CC         0-4       .000      7-15

 

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