Rhines goes for 32 points as MCC holds off Colby

Grant Strunk/McCook Daily Gazette McCook Community College's Nate Lark (55), a 6-foot-6 sophomore forward, goes over Colby Community College's 6-foot-8 freshman Koance Davis (50) for a defensive rebound Tuesday night in True Hall Gymnasium. MCC's Russell Ridlen (33), a freshman from Wauneta-Palisade, is also in position on the play. MCC won 85-79.

The McCook Community College men's basketball team improved its record to 7-4 with a hard-fought 85-79 win over Colby Community College Tuesday night.

The Region IX Indians and the Region VI Trojans hooked up at True Hall Gymnasium.

Luvonte Rhines paced the Indians with 32 points and Trey Mosby added 17 and Javoun Martin 13.

Grant Strunk/McCook Daily Gazette MCC guard Trey Mosby (5), center, tries to drive through the defense of Colby's Koance Davis (50) and Brantrel Graham (25) in basketball action Tuesday night in True Hall gymnasium. MCC beat Colby 85-79.

Josh Fanslow scored 7 points, Jared Deal 6, Lionel Robinson 6, Manuel Cook 3 and Trevor Ridlen 1.

Ronnell Grant, Joel Arterburn, Russell Ridlen and Nate Lark played but did not score.

Mosby dished off 11 assists. Robinson pulled down 7 rebounds and added 4 steals.

Colby's Mike Boyd led all scorers with 34 points. Koance Davis added 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.

Erick Peguero added 8 points, Andrew Engel 7, Mikey Doll 6, T.J. Schmidt 2, Jared Ottoway 2 and Everson Lacerda 2.

The Indians outrebounded the Trojans 40-29.

"It was a total team effort last night," said MCC men's coach Brandon Lenhart. "We led for most of the contest, Colby made some runs throughout the contest but we kept answering back with a run of our own. In the end we got defensive stops when we needed stops, buckets when we needed buckets and rebounds when we needed rebounds.

"Our defensive intensity and killer instinct was constant the entire night. Our bench was unbelievable tonight and we look for the same effort and intensity this Saturday vs. Eastern Wyoming in Torrington, Wyo. (7:30 p.m. mountain time).

"I want to thank the community members and student section for their support last night. True Hall Gymnasium was rocking last night. The atmosphere was electric and it made the game even more enjoyable for our players and coaching staff."

The Indians take on Eastern Wyoming Community College Saturday in a Region IX game.

MCC finishes up the first semester Dec. 7-8 at the Region IX Shootout at North Platte.

MCC plays the Doane College junior varsity at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and Casper College, Wyo., at 1 p.m. Dec. 8.

MCC women -- The MCC women (2-6) compete in the Region IX South Sub-Regional today through Saturday at Lamar, Colo.

MCC plays Otero Junior College at 7 p.m. tonight, Western Nebraska at 3 p.m. on Friday and Lamar at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

The MCC women finish up the first semester with a Tuesday game against Northeastern Junior College at Sterling, Colo.