MCC men’s offense sizzles late in win over Rattlers

LA JUNTA, Colo. –  The McCook Community College men got hot from the 3-point line in the final five minutes of the game Friday to take a road game over Otero Junior College 93-84.

"We had a lot of good stuff from a lot of guys," said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl.

Friday's win moves MCC into a tie for second place in the Region IX standings with Western Nebraska. The Cougars will close their season out Saturday at home against Northeastern Junior College.

With the game tied 77-77 at the 4:45 mark of the second half, MCC took control with three critical 3-pointers down the stretch. Sophomore Simon Akena (Stockholm, Sweden) sank a 3-pointer with 4:20 left to put MCC up 80-77. After a pair of missed free throws 10 second later, MCC got an offensive rebound from freshman Noah Boyed, (Castries, St. Lucia) and the ball ended up in the hands of freshman William Humer (Sollentuna, Sweden) was able to make the Rattlers pay with his long-range bucket to give MCC an 83-77 lead.

With 3:26 left to play Akena hit another 3-pointer to put MCC up 86-77.

MCC shot 57.6 percent for the game, made nine of 16 3-pointers (56.3 percent) and shot 17-for-26 from the free-throw line (59.3 percent).

"Will Humer and Noah Boyed were both really good and so was. Simon Akena," Brandl said.

Akena led all scorers with 24 points. Boyed scored 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds with four blocked shots. Humer scored 18 points on a three-for-four night from the 3-point line along with seven rebounds.

Freshman Martel Evans (Omaha Creighton Prep) scored 10 points. Sophomore Cameron Nyarko (London, England) scored nine points and snagged eight boards and sophomore Jah-Keish Demby (Wilmington, Del.) scored seven points with seven rebounds.

"I'm just really happy and proud of our group," said Brandl. "We had so many contributions and good play from a lot of guys. Keish and Cam were both really good on both ends and had big plays."

MCC dominated the boards 48-28 but did turn the ball over 26 times.

"The only disappointment I have is our turnovers, if we don't turn the ball over this game looks way different," Brandl said.

Otero shot 43.2 percent from the floor, went eight-for-32 from the 3-point arc (25 percent) and made 12 of 16 free throws (75 percent).

The Rattlers go to 4-7 in the region and 12-16 overall. The Rattlers will wrap up their season at home Saturday against North Platte.

MCC improves to 6-5 and 11-18 overall. The team will wrap up the regular season Saturday against the top seed in the South sub-region in Trinidad State (11-0, 19-7). By clinching the top seed, the Trojans are one of four teams in the south that will host a first-round game. This year's Region IX tournament will be at the site of the north division winner.

"We have a big test to end the regular season tomorrow against the hottest team in the league and defending champs," said Brandl.

Trinidad State beat North Platte Friday 109-76.

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

MEN'S REGION IX SOUTH STANDINGS

                        W - L      PCT.        OVERALL)

Trinidad State    11 – 0     1.000       (19-7)

Western Neb.      6 – 5      .545       (15-13)

McCook CC          6 – 5     .545       (11-18)

Lamar CC            5 – 7     .417        (10-19)

Otero JC             4 – 7     .354        (12-16)

Northeastern       4 – 6     .400        (13-13)

North Platte        2 – 8     .200        (12-14)