MCC men can't overcome slow start

COLUMBUS -- A slow start doomed the McCook Community College men's basketball team as they lost a close 80-75 decision to Central Community College on Saturday.

CCC started the game firing in 14 of their first 20 shots and held a lead as large as 16 points in the first half.

"We didn't step it on the floor ready to play," said head coach Ty Orton.

MCC did step it up later in the quarter as they cut CCC's lead down to 7 points at halftime and even held a lead with 1:20 left in the game.

But, after the 1:20 mark MCC couldn't muster any points out of their final possessions while CCC came from behind for the win.

Brandon Butler led all scorers with 29 points for MCC. Butler proved to be the go-to guy.

"They couldn't stop him. We tried to get the ball into him all game," said Orton.

Shaun Wisdom contributed 16 more points for MCC.

David Price was the point leader for CCC with 23.

The loss drops MCC's season record to 8-10. On Wednesday, MCC will travel to

North Platte to take on North Platte Community College.

Game time for the men is set for 7:30 p.m. The women's game will tip off at 5:30 p.m.

MCC: Andre Goldberg 2, Wisdom 16, Peere Shackelford 11, Jack Lutzeier 5, Butler 29, Rodrick Carter 12, Josh Lyon 2.

CCC: Ford 20, Classen 8, Stabler 6, Price 23, Laam 7, Coleman 5, Ross 11.

Sterling JV 69,

MCC women 57

STERLING, Kan. -- Disaster stuck the McCook Community College women's basketball team as they lost a 16-point first half lead and went on to lose 69-57 to

the Sterling College (Kan.) junior varsity on Saturday.

Sterling destroyed MCC in the last five minutes of the first half with a 14-2 run.

"One of our goals was to come out strong, and we did," said head coach Michelle Quiñones.

"When we got a 16-point lead, then everyone relaxed a little bit. Then it just seemed like we couldn't get anything to fall."

Leading scorers for MCC were Wendi Hopkins with 14 points and LeeAnn Sperling with 13 points.

The loss to Sterling drops MCC's season record to 7-10 and they have lost their last three games.

Quiñones said that her team's confidence has been damaged.

"When we lost that lead it hurt them a little bit. But once we get that win, then they'll get the confidence. We just need to learn to play two complete halves."