Indians top Runnin’ Lopes 80-67

LAMAR, Colo. – The McCook Community College men topped the Lamar Runnin' Lopes 80-67 Saturday on the road.

"I thought overall this was a really good basketball game," said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. "I thought we learned from a lot of mistakes from Tuesday and got better."

Both teams shot 35 percent from the floor in the first half as the Indians were able to take a 35-27 halftime lead.

"Both halves we came out ready to go and were locked in," said Brandl.

MCC shot 51.6 percent in the second half and 43.5 percent for the game, shot 23.1 percent on 26 shots from the arc and made 19 of 23 free throws (82.6 percent).

Lamar shot 42.2 percent from the field, 38.9 percent from the 3-point line on 18 attempts and went just nine of 21 from the line (42.9 percent).

"I thought our matchup really bothered them and kept them out of rhythm all game," said Brandl. "They made some shots from the 3 but weren't able to get easy touches around the rim."

Sophomore Martel Evans (Omaha) led MCC with 22 points and eight rebounds including five on the offensive end.

Freshman Louie Tucker (Bristol, England) hit five 3-pointers and had 19 points while leading the team with 14 rebounds.

Sophomore Zeki Cavli (Bodrum, Turkey) and freshman Bryan Akanmu (Paris, France) both had 13 points. Akanmu had eight boards and Cavli six. Sophomore Ty Foster (Bronx, N.Y.) led the team with five steals and scored five points.

Freshman Jaxson Brandl (Tribune, Kan.) scored six points off the bench and sophomore Brandon Kabuya Mpoyi (Paris, France) chipped in five.

"We were very balanced tonight got a lot of good minutes," said Brandl "The bench was really good in Jaxson and Brandon."

The Indians had a decisive 49-30 edge on the boards.

"We really rebounded tough," said Brandl. "I was really happy with how many guys went and got the ball."

Lamar falls to 7-13 and 0-3 in the south region. The Lopes fall to 7-4 at home.

MCC improves to 7-11 and 2-1 in the south division of Region IX.

The Indians are home Tuesday to face Northeastern Junior College, 8-8 overall and 2-0 in the south with weekend wins at home over Otero and Trinidad. Tuesday's game is 7:30 p.m. tipoff after the women's game.

"We need to be really good on Tuesday," said Brandl. "NJC is on a roll right now and they are playing really good basketball. They are big physical they beat you up and they have a couple guys that really shoot it."

On Friday the team plays Western Nebraska at Scottsbluff then return home Jan. 30 for another Region IX South game against North Platte (7:30 p.m.)