MCC men come back for overtime win over NJC

The McCook Community College men overcame a 13-point deficit Tuesday in the final six minutes of the game turned back Northeastern Junior College in overtime 80-77.

"It was exciting to get a game that again I didn't think we played very well," said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl.

MCC got down by 13 points late in the first half and still trailed 64-51 with 4:40 left in the game before stepping up the defensive play and executing the offense down the stretch.

"Credit to our guys for sticking with the game plan," said Brandl. "We were really trying to protect the heart on our end and trying to make them play more outside than what they're used to because they throw the ball inside and they are so big and physical."

After MCC made it a 10-point game at the 3:41 mark, a defensive steal by sophomore Brandon Kabuya Mpoyi (Paris, France) and a basket by sophomore Ty Foster (Bronx, N.Y.) made it a 64-56 game. After NJC made one of two free throws at the 3:03 mark, MCC got back-to-back baskets from freshman Bryan Akanmu (Paris, France) and sophomore Martel Evans, (Omaha) for a 65-60 score with 1:24 left.

A pair of Foster free throws with 1:05 cut the gap to four at 66-62 then a 3-pointer by freshman Louie Tucker (Bristol, England) brought the Indians within a point at 66-65. The ensuing NJC possession led to an MCC foul, but the Plainsmen made one of two free throw shots which opened the door for MCC and Evans tied the game with a basket with 18 seconds left to tie the game at 67 and send the game into overtime.

The two teams traded scores and were tied at 74 midway through the extra five-minute period. NJC took a 76-75 lead with 1:19 remaining when MCC was able to win the game at the free-throw line making five of six down the stretch while the Plainsmen struggled missing five straight in the final 49 seconds before hitting one with 11.4 seconds.

MCC made 16 of 22 free throws in the second half and overtime (72.7 percent) while NJC made just seven of 17 (41.2 percent) from the line. Evans made eight of nine free throws and Foster made eight of 10.

"That was big and we did a good job of taking care of the ball, and guys executed when we needed to," said Brandl.

MCC turned the ball over 12 times in the game.

NJC came out blazing from the 3-point line early in the game and went eight of 16 in the first half.

"They came out hot from the 3-point line then cooled down in the second half," Brandl said. "Our guys did a good job sticking with that."

NJC made three of nine second-half 3's while MCC finished the game making five of 26 (19.2 percent) and 37.3 percent from the field.

"I think we're a better team than 37 percent from the field," said Brandl. "Credit to NJC, obviously they are very talented and did what they usually do."

The Plainsmen outrebounded MCC 54-45.

"They got 14 offensive rebounds, which is their average but they only give up 29 a game and we got 45 so I thought we did a good job especially in the second half and down the stretch and that helped us getting defensive stops," said Brandl.

Tucker led MCC with 22 points with Akanmu putting in 18. Foster and Evans each scored 16. Akanmu paced the Indians on the boards with 11 and Tucker grabbed eight.

NJC goes to 8-9 overall and 2-1 in Region IX South.

MCC improves to 8-11 and 3-1 in the south region.

On Friday the Indians travel to Scottsbluff for another Region IX South matchup, taking on Western Nebraska (13-8 and 3-1 in the south division).

"Hopefully this is a good springboard into Friday against a good Western Nebraska team who will play fast and press you," said Brandl.

MCC returns home Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. clash with North Platte.