MCC Indian men's basketball roundup

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

McCook Community College men's basketball team entered the second part of their schedule with an 8-11 record.

The second part of the schedule began Jan. 18 when the team traveled to North Platte to take on their sister school the Knights as conference and sub-region play opens for MCC.

MCC dropped its first game back from winter break by losing to nationally ranked Northeastern JC on Jan. 10 at True Hall 66-57.

In a tight game that was decided by one or two possessions, it was the Plainsmen that made enough plays down the stretch to escape True Hall with a victory. MCC trailed at halftime 34-29 and trailed by 11 within just a few minutes of the second half.

However, MCC went on a run and tied the game at 44 on a 3-pointer and took a lead in the game for the first time since the early moments with a 3-pointer from Sophomore Adam Vaden.

Vaden would finish the night with a team high 15 points and 3 assists. NJC used a timeout after the Vaden 3-pointer and halted the momentum and preceded to go on a 12-2 run.

Chris Barrow and Kyle Wamsley each pumped in 9 points. Wamsley pulled in a game-high 11 rebounds.

Marcus Vontz and Mark Versen each chipped in 6 points for the Indians. MCC shot 49 percent from the field for the game while NJC shot 42 percent. A key stat that hindered MCC's chances to win this game was NJC going 11-of-18 from the free throw line compared to MCC's five of nine.

MCC also turned the ball over 19 times against getting only 10 from their opponent from Sterling, Colo.

MCC traveled to North Platte Jan. 13 to take on Otero JC.

MCC pushed ahead late in the first half to take a 30-27 advantage into the intermission. MCC ended up losing this one 59-54.

MCC could not connect on many easy opportunities missing on several lay-ups, which led to a second half shooting percentage of 16 percent. MCC finished the game shooting 24 percent from the field.

MCC also could not convert from the charity strip going 9-of-18. Otero knocked in 16-of-19 from the free throw line and shot 58 percent for the game from the field.

Wamsley finished a strong night with a double-double -- 10 points and 11 rebounds. Vaden tossed in 8 points and dished out 4 assists.

Vontz, Jeremy Mallard and Trey Harris contributed 7, 6 and 6 points for the team. Barrow chipped in 5 points. Shea Scarlett swished in 4 points and 2 assists.

MCC traveled to North Platte on Jan. 14 to play Lamar JC.

MCC struggled from the 3 point-arc connecting on only one of 21 attempts from downtown. Lamar drilled in 10 3-pointers.

This is a difference of 27 points in the 3-point category proving to be the difference in this contest.

The Indians' struggles from the floor combined with the Runnin Lopes hot shooting proved to be too much as Lamar cruised to a 67-38 victory.

Despite MCC only scoring 17 points in the first half, the Indians trailed by 7 points at halftime.

Barrow led MCC with 10 points. Scarlett and Harris each pumped in 6 points. Versen contributed 5 points to the team.

Wamsley and Vaden pulled down 6 and 5 rebounds.

MCC was out-rebounded 42-25. McCook only committed 15 turnovers compared to 23 by Lamar. However, Lamar produced 19 points off of MCC's turnovers compared to McCook's nine points when Lamar mishandled the basketball.

MCC traveled to North Platte CC to open up Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference play on Jan. 18.

In a physical and intense battle between these two rivals, MCC missed several free throws down the stretch that allowed NPCC to come back from a 4-point deficit in the last minute to take the game into overtime.

In the extra stanza North Platte CC was able to connect on key free throws within the last minute to secure a 76-70 overtime victory over MCC.

Versen pumped in 19 points, hitting on 5-of-8 shots from 3-point range.

Versen also paced the Indians with 11 rebounds, which enabled the freshman to record his first double-double of his career.

Vaden contributed 13 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Barrow added 12 points. Vontz knocked down 9 points, pulled down 7 rebounds and added 4 steals. Lewis chipped in 6 points.

The MCC men's basketball team traveled to Beatrice Saturday to take on Southeast CC.

MCC was on the losing end in this NCCAC contest 87-59. MCC trailed 42-20 at the intermission.

MCC committed 30 turnovers which led to 34 Southeast points.

MCC shot 38 percent from the field and 15 percent from the 3-point line, while its opponent connected on 50 percent from the field and 32 percent from the 3-point arc.

MCC out-rebounded SECC 46-41.

Barrow paced the Indians with 11 points. Versen sunk 9 points and picked up 6 rebounds. Thomas knocked in 8 points. Harris hit for 8 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Vaden pulled down 6 rebounds and swished in 6 points.

The loss dropped MCC to 8-13 on the year and 0-2 in NCCAC play.

MCC travels to Norfolk on Friday to play Northeast Nebraska and Columbus Saturday.

The next home game for MCC is 4 p.m. Feb. 4 against Northeast CC.

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