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MCC men's basketball team wins 3rd straight close game
MCC men win another close one
By JOHN J. MESH
McCook Daily Gazette
Sports Editor
Another close game, another win for the McCook Community College men's basketball team.
The Indians improved to 12-8 overall and 1-0 in the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference with a 77-71 victory over Southeast Community College-Beatrice Tuesday night at True Hall Gymnasium.
MCC has won three games in a row in contests decided by six points or less.
Last weekend, MCC defeated Lamar, Colo., 76-74 and Otero Junior College 72-71 in overtime.
Luvonte Rhines led the Indians with 21 points. Javoun Marin added 13, Trey Mosby 11 and Wauneta-Palisade freshman Trevor Ridlen 9.
Manuel Cook scored 8 points, Jared Deal 5, Nate Lark 5, Ronnell Grant 3 and Lionel Robinson 2.
Mosby had 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Rhines had 5 steals.
Richard Marion led Southeast with 18 points. Anthony Calhoun had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
"We had a shaky start from the offensive end and had a hard time stopping them in transition," said MCC men's coach Brandon Lenhart. "We missed five jump shots and had nothing going to the rim. I told them after some substitutions 'we need to get to the rim.' We are getting good shots and they will fall, they will, but until then we need to raise our level on defense and get easier buckets.
"The last four minutes of the first half was special. We really turned up the heat on defense, and made our defense our offense, getting three straight stops and two transition lay-ups and a thundering dunk by Luvonte Rhines). MCC was up 12 points at half.
"We continued the trend during the second half for the first 10 minutes, we were up 15 points for most of the first 10 minutes. SCC made a run and cut it to four points at one point in the second half. In the end we made enough free throws and got enough stops and rebounds to win 77-71, SCC hit a desperation 3-pointer at the end of the game but it was too little too late.
"I am so proud of everyone on this basketball family. We have had our ups and downs this season. I really believe we are starting to really figure things out and we are excited about the challenge ahead of us. Our bench was incredible once again, all of our players 1-15 has a role on this team and everyone is doing an unbelievable job at performing their role at an optimum level."
MCC plays at Central Community College-Columbus Friday and Northeast Community College-Norfolk Saturday. Both games start at 4 p.m.
"It's been a long time since MCC has swept both teams on this annual road trip, which occurs every year," Lenhart said.
Southeast women 83, MCC 74
The MCC women's basketball team dropped an 83-74 decision to Southeast-Beatrice.
Ashley Foe led the Indians with 22 points. Bridgette Riddick scored 13 and Heaven Johnson 12.
"We got out of the gate really well and ran off six straight points to go up 6-0," said MCC women's basketball coach Benjamin Smith. "We went ice cold after that for a few minutes and found ourselves down 21-6. The rest of the game was a classic case of scratching and clawing to get back into it. We were down 11 at the half.
"SECC couldn't match our intensity in the second half and we were able to cut the deficit to 5 will 3 minutes to go. A series of shots rimmed out and they converted free throws at the other end to ultimately put the game out of reach.
"The team showed a tremendous amount of heart and gumption to battle back with a depleted bench and no time to rest. It was great to finally have an opportunity to play in front of our McCook fans after having played at many of the venues around the region.
"It is safe to say that our fans make McCook the toughest venue to play at. Once again, the fans in the stands lived up to their reputation as 'the sixth man.' We are looking forward to having two quality days of practice to build on the tenacity with which we played.
The MCC women dropped to 4-13 overall and 0-1 in NCCAC play.
The MCC women play road games at York College Friday (6 p.m.) and Northeast CC Saturday (2 p.m.).