Conquistadors top MCC men in Dodge City 68-57

DODGE CITY, Kan. – The Dodge City Community College men downed McCook Community College Tuesday 68-57.

For the Conquistadores it was the team's 18^th straight win at the Student Activities Center.

"We really fought today," said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. "Defensively we played well enough to win that game, offensively it was a different story."

The two teams battled back and forth for most of the first 15 minutes of the game before Dodge City took the lead going on a 22-6 run to close out the first half and led 37-22 at intermission.

"Foul trouble and a bad stretch in that first half, killed us and that turned out to be the game," Brandl said.

Dodge City shot 40 percent from the field for the game, made three of 17 3-pointers (17.6 percent) and 13-for-27 from the line (48.1 percent). The Conquistadores out rebounded MCC 46-42.

The two teams combined for 44 turnovers, MCC had 24 of those.

Despite the negatives, MCC battled back and cut the Dodge City lead to five points with three minutes left in the game. After shooting 28.1 percent in the first half, MCC shot 40 percent in the second half.

"I'm really proud of our guys for showing toughness and sticking to the game plan in the second half," said Brandl. "We just couldn't come up with 'the play' to get us over the hump."

MCC shot 34.3 percent for the game, made five of 27 shots from the 3-point arc and made six of 14 free throws (42.9 percent).

"We have to be better at the free-throw line and shooting the basketball because we have looks," Brandl said.

Madit Lueeth (Edmonton Alberta) the sophomore transfer Southern Idaho led MCC with 11 points on the night. Freshman Martel Evans (Omaha Creighton Prep) and sophomore Trey Summers (Greeley, Colo.) both scored 10 points.

Summers led the team with eight rebounds. Simon Akena (Stockholm, Sweden) a sophomore transfer from Three Rivers College added seven boards as did freshman Noah Boyed (Castries, St. Lucia).

Dodge City, 1-1, lost their opening game of the season 88-87 in overtime at No. 3 Indian Hills Community College. MCC and Dodge City will face off again Nov. 15 at the home opener in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center at 7 p.m.

This was the first of four straight games against Kansas opponents in seven days. Next up for MCC is the Northwest Kansas Technical College Classic in Goodland this weekend. On Friday MCC takes on Colby at 6 p.m. and on Saturday play Northwest Kansas TC at 4 p.m, followed by the Dodge City rematch next Tuesday.

For all the up-to-date information on MCC men's basketball this season and all sports including schedules, statistics, rosters and photos, please visit the official website of MCC Athletics at mccindians.com