Rattlers take down MCC men 78-64 in Friday home game

The McCook Community College men opened the second semester Friday with a 78-64 loss to Otero Junior College at home.

MCC trailed at the half 34-32 but were outscored 44-32 in the second half.

"Our second half was just not good enough," said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. "We weren't tough enough on either end. We turned the ball over on lazy passes, we have guys throwing behind their backs on double teams, and guys catching the ball and straight dribbling into three opponents – all things we talked about. and it looked like we hadn't even practiced."

MCC gave up seven offensive rebounds, committed 17 turnovers and surrendered nine steals to the Rattlers.

"They were just a tougher team than us and that's really disappointing especially at home to be out-toughed in every aspect of the game," Brandl said.

MCC shot 43.4 percent from the field, made six of 25 shots from the arc (24.0 percent), and made 12 of 23 free throws (52.2 percent). MCC outrebounded the Rattlers 40-33.

Otero shot 46.9 from the field, made four of 19 3-pointers (21.1 percent) and went 14 of 17 at the line (82.4 percent). The Rattlers turned the ball over 10 times and shot 54.3 percent from the floor in the second half.

Madit Lueeth (sophomore transfer Southern Idaho, Edmonton Alberta) led MCC with 17 points. Simon Akena (Stockholm, Sweden), led MCC with 10 rebounds and scored 11 points.

MCC got 10 point-games from freshmen Zeki Cavli (Bodrum, Turkey) and Noah Boyed (Castries, St. Lucia) who grabbed nine boards.

Otero improves to 9-9 while MCC falls to MCC 5-11.

"We have got to be better tomorrow against a really good Trinidad team with two really good guards, but we have to have a better approach from everybody." Brandl said. "We've got to get tougher as a basketball program because we're not tough enough."

On Saturday MCC hosts Trinidad State (8-7). The Trojans downed North Platte Friday 99-88.

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