Indians return with two thrilling wins

Monday, January 9, 2017
Steve Towery/McCook Gazette McCook Community College guard Draylan Perkins splits through two Eastern Wyoming defenders during the Indians' home win Friday evening.

McCOOK, Neb. -- After a hectic comeback to erase a 21-point second half deficit to defeat Western Nebraska 109-108 in overtime on Saturday, the McCook Community College men's basketball team finished the open weekend of the second semester 2-0.

MCC defeated Eastern Wyoming 90-86 on Friday, to even up the Indians Region IX at 2-2 on the year and 10-4 on the year.

Against Eastern Wyoming on Friday, MCC outlasted EWC with the help of Lewis Diankulu (15 points and 14 rebounds) and Niejel Young's (12 points and 12 rebounds) double-doubles.

The duo help buoyed the dominant Indians rebounds efforts, including 23 offensive rebounds. Draylan Perkins led the Indians offensive with 20 points on 7-11 shooting, while D'Von Moore had 12 points and Brody Sharkey, playing his first game of the season returning from a knee injury, added 15 of his own on 6-10 shooting.

On Saturday, all signs pointed to the Indians splitting the open weekend, but MCC had other ideas. A feverish 21-point comeback in the last 8:30 of the ball game forced the game into overtime.

The Indians outscored the Cougars 35-9 during the final stretch to force OT. D'Von Moore hit a 3 tie the game up at 98 with 12.3 seconds left.

In OT, Western Nebraska hit one of two free throws to take a 108-107 lead with 46.5 left, then a wild sequence that included 6 MCC misses, 5 offensive rebounds, Torrey Mayo getting two steals and being called for a charge, would be finished off with a Lewis Diankulu put-back layup with 8.2 left and the Indians up 109-108. WNCC last second, off-blanced 3, would go just off the front iron to give MCC the victory. Diankulu had another big night for MCC; collecting 25 points and 16 rebounds and 3 blocks, while D'Von Moore (23 points), Brody Sharkey (20 points), and Draylan Perkins (11 points) would all finish in double-figures. Mayo finished the night with 8 points and 4 assists.

"I am very proud of our basketball family for the fight and grit they displayed the entire weekend." Head Coach Brandon Lenhart said. "This weekend wasn't our most stellar performance of the year, but we found a way both nights to get a win. You have to give credit to Eastern Wyoming and Western Nebraska as they came in ready."

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