Cougars take over second-place with 73-67 win over MCC men

SCOTTSBLUFF – The Western Nebraska Community College men took over second place in the Region IX South standings Saturday with a 73-67 win over McCook Community College.

Western Nebraska (6-4) moves into second place behind Trinidad (10-0). MCC slips to third place (5-5) with Otero and Northeastern Junior College tied for fourth (4-5) and North Platte and Lamar tied for sixth (2-7).

"We played hard," said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. "And we came out really good in both halves."

After Western Nebraska took a 29-19 halftime lead, the Cougars took their largest lead of the game, 35-21, a few minutes into the second half before MCC overcame the 14-point deficit and took a six-point lead midway through the second half.

"Defensively we just weren't sharp enough in certain situations. Our ball screen defense just wasn't very good tonight and that happens, said Brandl. "It's a part of the game."

After Western shot 29.7 percent in the first half of the game, the Cougars heated it up late in the second half and finished making 48.4 percent of their second-half shots and 38.2 percent for the game.

MCC shot just 25.7 percent in the first half and 38.0 percent for the game.

"The zone really made us stagnant and that's what they wanted," said Brandl. "There are reasons why teams run a zone – because they don't think they can guard you or they don't think you can shoot and both reasons were correct tonight and we didn't make enough shots."

MCC was four-for-29 from beyond the 3-point line (13.8 percent). Western Nebraska was seven of 19 (36.8 percent).

"We beat them in almost every other statistically category except the ones that mattered offensively," said Brandl.

MCC outrebounded Western 48-46.

Freshman Martel Evans (Omaha Creighton Prep) led MCC with 19 points and picked up five rebounds. Sophomore Madit Lueeth (Edmonton Alberta, Canada) scored 18 points. Freshman Noah Boyed (Castries, St. Lucia) led all rebounders with 14 and added 12 points.

"I like where our group is at though, we just got beat, and didn't make enough shots – not because we didn't play hard or well and we can live with that," said Brandl.

MCC goes to 10-17 overall with two remaining Region IX road games left -- at Otero Friday and at Trinidad State Feb. 25.

MCC will close out the Nebraska conference schedule Monday at Columbus against Central Community College.

"It's another short turn-around with a Central team that is playing really well right now," said Brandl.

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