Inconsistent Indians drop to Lamar

McCOOK, Neb. — An inconsistent effort on the offensive end once again doomed the McCook Community College men Saturday in a 72-67 loss to Lamar Community College.

The Indians shot just 33 percent from the floor in the first period of Friday’s 12-point lost to Otero and fared even worse with a 32.4 shooting half on Saturday.

Assistant Coach Brandon Pritchett said the weekend games were an example of a team not being able to bring consistency to the offensive end.

“Both games this weekend were a game of teams going on runs, and for us not being able to put together consecutive scoring possessions,” Pritchett said. “When we figure out how to do that we can be a dangerous team.”

Thanks to some energy from the MCC bench, the Indians were able to overcome the lack of first-half offense with some defensive stops.

MCC lead 30-29 at the half and extended the lead to five points 2:37 into the second half but the offensive stalled and the Runnin’ Lopes took and eight-point lead at the 10:38 mark.

“Lamar did a nice job out on transition,” Pritchett said.

MCC applied the pressure and tied the game at 50-50 at the 9:25 mark, at 62-62 with 4:01 left in the game and at 64-64 with 3:14 remaining.

“There were times in the second half we ran the offense, got some movement and that gave us a chance for some open 3’s, and we did a better job taking advantage of those opportunities in the second half,” Pritchett said.

After making just two of seven 3’s in the first half MCC heated up from distance in the second half making six of 16 shots (37.5 percent).

Lamar missed five free throws in the final 1:44 of play to keep giving MCC chances. A D’Von Moore 3-pointer with 1:14 left cut the MCC deficit to 68-67 but the Indians were unable to take advantage on the offensive end.

“Our goal is for us to reach the paint each possession and when we consistently do that we can be successful,” Pritchett said.

MCC finished the game making 25 of 76 shots (32.9 percent)

Peanut Cunningham (Louisville, Kent,) had 13 points. Isaiah Richardson (Queensland, Australia) came off the bench to score 13, including three of seven from 3-point range. Moore (Statesboro, Ga.) had 12 points and made three of seven 3-point shots.