Indians find balance in 88-77 win over Southeast

Indians find balance in 88-77 win over Southeast

BEATRICE The McCook Community College men came out from the opening whistle Tuesday with intensity and balance, and downed Southeast Community College 88-77.

"It was a great win for us," said MCC Coach Kyle Drennan. "It was the first time in a long time that we came out ready to play."

The Indians become the first team in the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference to post three wins in the conference standings, but all four teams still have a shot at the title with four conference games remaining.

On Tuesday MCC held the Storm to 27 first-half points in taking a 12-point lead at the half.

Six Indians scored in double-figures five starters and one player off the bench.

Freshman Rahkiem Petterson (Midland, Texas) and sophomore Raheim Sullivan (Toronto, Ontario), both scored 16 points. Sullivan dished out 10 assists.

"No. 1 (Sullivan) was challenged tonight and he answered the bell," Drennan said. "The ball movement was great and we took great shots."

LeTre Darthard (freshman, Denton, Texas) scored 13 points. Sophomore Tyrik Singh (San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago) scored 11 and the Indians got 10 points each from Justin Costello (Omaha) and freshman Catthadious Moore (Memphis, Tenn.) off the bench.

"This was the most balanced game we have played in a long time," Drennan said.

The Indians shot 48.5 percent from the field, made seven of 15 3-pointers (46.7) and were 17 of 20 from the free throw-line (85 percent). MCC out-rebounded SECC 33-24. Darthard brought down seven rebounds and Petterson had six.

The Storm shot 58.0 percent from the field, made five of 16 shots from the 3-point line (31.3 percent) and were 14 of 22 from the line (63.3 percent). MCC forced SECC into 22 turnovers.

"It's a great way to start a huge week for us," Drennan said.

The Indians have a pair of Region IX South opponents coming to the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center this weekend. On Friday MCC (1-7 in Region IX south play) hosts Trinidad State (13-10, 2-4) at 7 p.m. and on Saturday host Otero Junior College (19-4, 3-2) in a 4 p.m. game.

With Tuesday's win MCC improves to 10-15 overall, and take the lead in the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference with a 3-2 mark with one conference game left, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. against North Platte (1-2 in NCCAC with three road games left). Central Community College is 2-2 with two home games remaining and Southeast is 2-2 with a game at home against North Platte and a game at Central CC.

For more information on MCC basketball and all MCC sports, visit the official site of MCC Athletics at https://mccindians.com/index.aspx?path=mbball

If you can't make it to the next MCC home watch it live at: https://mccindians.com/sports/2016/11/10/tw.aspx?tab=tribewatch

Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference
MEN'S STANDINGS
McCook CC 3-2
Central CC 2-2
Southeast CC 2-2
North Platte CC 1-2

NCCAC RESULTS
Dec. 3: McCook CC 95, Central CC 83 (at Columbus)
Jan. 18: McCook CC 89, Southeast CC 80 (at McCook)
Jan. 21: North Platte 81, McCook CC 80 (OT) (at North Platte)
Jan. 31: Southeast CC 91, Central CC 88 (OT)
Feb. 2: Southeast CC 79, North Platte 74 (OT) (at North Platte)
Feb. 7: Central CC 72, North Platte 68 (at North Platte)
Feb. 8: Central CC 67, McCook CC 62 (at McCook)
Feb. 11: McCook CC 88, Southeast CC 77, (at Beatrice)

REMAINING NCCAC SCHEDULE
Feb. 15 Southeast CC at Central CC, 4 p.m.
Feb 21 North Platte CC at Central CC 7 p.m.
Feb. 22 North Platte CC at Southeast CC, 4 p.m.
Feb. 25 North Platte at McCook, 7 p.m.