Central CC men take control late in 87-76 win over McCook

COLUMBUS – The Central Community College men took charge of the game in the final nine minutes to defeat McCook Community College 87-76 Monday at Raider Fieldhouse.

MCC trailed by 10 points late in the first half but went on a 7-0 run to close the halftime gap to 35-32. Neither team was able to shake the other over the first 11 minutes of the second half before the Raiders took the lead for good.

"This wasn't our best game defensively," said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. "We weren't very good in our ball screen defense. We did some new things and it hurt us."

Central shot 54.0 percent from the field, made 10 of 24 shots from the 3-point line (41.7 percent) and made nine of 12 free throws (75 percent).

"Credit to them they had guys that made shots and we didn't," said Brandl.

MCC shot 50.8 percent from the floor, went seven-for-21 from the 3-point line (33.3 percent) and made five of 11 free throws (45.5 percent). MCC outrebounded CCC 33-25.

"I thought we had good looks against the zone just didn't make enough," said Brandl. "We're going to have to figure that out because that's what everyone is going to start going to."

A quartet of MCC players scored in double-figures. Sophomore Madit Lueeth (Edmonton Alberta, Canada) led the way with 19 points to go along with seven rebounds. Freshman Noah Boyed (Castries, St. Lucia) scored 18 with seven rebounds. Freshman William Humer (Sollentuna, Sweden) had 10 points and six rebounds while freshman Martel Evans (Omaha Creighton Prep) scored 10 points.

"I was disappointed in how the game was called differently at both ends," Brandl said. "I really thought that affected us and how we could play defensively but that's part of the game too, you have to be able to adjust."

The Raiders improve to 19-9 and 2-3 in the Nebraska conference while MCC finishes at 3-3, splitting with Central, sweeping North Platte and losing twice to Southeast Community College, who wins the NCCAC.

MCC, 10-18 overall, turns its attention to the final two games on the schedule – a pair of Region IX South road games Friday and Saturday against Otero Junior College (12-14) and Trinidad State (18-7).

Trinidad State leads the Region IX south standings at 10-0. Western Nebraska is second at 6-4, MCC third at 5-5, Otero fourth at 4-5, Northeastern Junior College fifth at 4-6, Lamar sixth at 4-7 and North Platte seventh at 2-8.  

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

NEBRASKA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MEN'S STANDINGS

                        W - L    PCT.

Southeast CC     4 – 1     .800

McCook CC        3 – 3      .500

Central CC         2 – 3      .400

North Platte       2 – 4      .333

NCCAC RESULTS

Nov. 22 – MCC 64, Central CC 59 (at McCook)

Dec. 6 – North Platte 89, Central CC 84 (at North Platte)

Jan. 21 – Southeast CC 69, Central CC 59 (at Beatrice)

Jan. 24 – MCC 73, North Platte 63 (at North Platte)

Jan. 27 – Southeast CC 85, North Platte 69 (at Beatrice)

Jan. 29 – Southeast CC 64, MCC 59 (at Beatrice)

Feb. 6 – Southeast CC 67, MCC 60 (at McCook)

Feb. 11 –North Platte 76, Southeast CC 72 (at North Platte)

Feb. 14 – MCC  78, North Platte 72 (at McCook)

Feb. 17 – Central CC 90, North Platte 66 (at Columbus)

Feb. 20 – Central CC 87, McCook 76 (atColumbus)

REMAINING SCHEDULE

Feb. 25 – Southeast CC at Central (Columbus, 4 p.m.