MCC teams fall at Western Nebraska

SCOTTSBLUFF -- The McCook Community College men's and women's basketball teams both lost to Western Nebraska Wednesday night at Cougar Palace in Scottsbluff.

The MCC men lost 72-53 and the women lost 77-59.

Noel Cardinelli led the MCC men with 16 points and made 6-of-12 shots. Christian Lewis scored 10 points (4-of-5 shooting) and Sterling Link 7.

Link also had 8 rebounds, 4 blocks and 1 steal.

The Indians played very well for 36 minutes in their first Sub-Region game of the season, said MCC men's coach Ty Orton.

"We did not attack toward the end of the game like we needed to in order to get to the foul line," Orton said. "WNCC shot 29 free throws to our eight. We need to understand that we did not attack and we settled for the long shot. An adjustment that we can make."

Ricardo De Bern led led the Cougars (4-10) with 16 points. Matthew Akins added 14, C.J. Hampton 12 and Chance Walleson 10.

The women lost despite placing four players in double figures, led by Bridgette Riddick and Amanda Terpstra with 15 points each. Riddick had 3 assists and Terpstra pulled down 8 rebounds.

Kamillia Brown scored 11, Cambridge sophomore Staci Moore 9, Kendra Knight 7 and Sadiyyah Guilford 2.

"The score does not tell the whole story of this game," said MCC women's coach Michelle Orton. "MCC hung in there against the 10th ranked team in the nation for 36 minutes. We had several turnovers and gave up easy baskets.

"MCC had to try to create something in order to keep the game close. The girls played very well and this should show them that they can play with anyone in the conference.

"We need to be more consistent on both ends but we had great effort out of the team and several freshman really stepped up. Bridgette Riddick and Kendra Knight played very well on both ends."

Chelsea Lyles, a 6-foot freshman, led the Cougar women with 16 points. Kiki Taylor scored 14, Victoria Martin 10 and Allison Cheney 8.

Michelle Orton told KICX Radio that "a lot of the experts think think this is one of Western Nebraska's best teams ever."

The Cougar women, ranked 10th in the latest NJCAA Division I poll, improved to 15-0.

The MCC men dropped to 7-10 overall and 0-1 in Region IX East Sub-Region play. The MCC women are now 5-10.

The MCC men compete in the North Platte Community College Classic this weekend.

The Indians play Otero Junior College at 5:30 p.m. Friday and the Doane College junior varsity at 2 p.m. Saturday.

The MCC women's game against the McPherson (Kan.) College JV at McPherson was canceled.

The MCC teams host a Region IX doubleheader Wednesday against North Platte Community College.

The women's game starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m.

MCC: Trey Harris 2, Jeremy Mallard 2, Noel Cardinelli 16, Clinton Napoleon 5, Joel Arteburn 3, Shea Scarlett 2, Kyle Wamsley 2, Justin Johnson 2, Christian Lewis 10, Sterling Link 7, Nate Lark 2.

WNCC: Keron McKenzie 3, Chance Wallesen 10, Beno Jaekel 2, Matthew Akins 14, Carl Buck 8, C.J. Hampton 12, DaRon Kirkendoll 2, Doradji Wilson 5, Ricardo De Bem 16.

MCC: Staci Moore 9, Kendra Knight 7, Bridgette Riddick 15, Kamillia Brown 11, Amanda Terpstra 15, Sadiyyah Guilford 2.

WNCC: Kiki Taylor 14, Dana Iverson 3, Emma Beddome 6, Tiara Scott 7, Lesley Olson 8, Aurelie Derenoncourt 3, Victoria Martin 10, Alison Cheney 8, Chelsea Lyles 16, Carly Glisan 2.