Trinidad State men hold off MCC, 72-71

The Trinidad State Junior College men were able to hold off McCook Community College Saturday in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center, 72-71.

Tied at 67-67 with 1:05 left in the game, the Trojans took the lead for good on the next possession 69-67. MCC managed just one free throw on its possession and the Trojans iced the game with a free-throw and a bucket off an offensive rebound with 2.9 seconds left to go, take a 72-68 lead. MCC's ensuing half-court 3-point shot accounted for the final margin of victory for Trinidad State.

"It's the same stuff, it's 18 turnovers," said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. "Against the really good teams, you're not going to survive, and it's happened ever time we've played tough teams. We need to figure out ways to not turn the ball over."

The coach was also not pleased with the team's effort on the boards, getting outrebounded 41-33 including giving up 15 offensive rebounds to the TSJC.

"The real disappointing factor in the game was the rebounds. I don't know a game that we've been outrebounded this year," Brandl said. "To give up 15 offensive rebounds, that was the difference – not at the free-throw line. We needed a stop down at the defensive end there late and we didn't get the rebound and that's really disheartening to give up 15 offensive rebounds like that and get dominated on the glass."

Brandl was pleased with holding a solid offensive team like Trinidad to 72 points.

MCC held the Trojans to 35 percent shooting from the field and 23.8 percent from the 3-point line.

"We did what we needed to do on defense to win this game and executed well down the stretch and did a good job staying in front of their guys, but anytime you give up 29 free-throw attempts, 15 offensive rebounds and combine that with 18 turnovers you're never going to win," Brandl said.

MCC shot 42.6 percent from the field, made seven of 17 3-pointers (41.2 percent) and shot 18 of 28 from the charity stripe, (64.3 percent).

Sophomore Simon Akena (Stockholm, Sweden) led MCC with 16 points. Madit Lueeth (sophomore transfer Southern Idaho, Edmonton Alberta) scored 14. Sophomore transfer Lamine Ndione (Lee College, Marseille, France) scored 12 points and had a team-best seven rebounds.

"Compared to Friday, the effort was completely there, "Brandl said. "We played really hard. We didn't play smart at times."

Trinidad State improves to 9-7.

MCC, now 5-12 and 0-2 in Region IX south play, keeps the homestand going Thursday and Friday with two more games against Region IX South opponents. On Thursday Northeastern Junior College comes to town and Friday it will be Western Nebraska. Game times both nights are 7:30 p.m.

"Monday we have to get back to the drawing board, do some rebounding drills, do some more passing drills and figure out how to get this thing turned around," Brandl said.  

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