Buzzer-beater sinks MCC men in overtime
STERLING, Colo. – The Western Wyoming Community College men went the length of the floor in the final 4.4 seconds of overtime to beat McCook Community College 79-78 Saturday in the Region IX North/South Shootout hosted by Northeastern Junior College.
“It always stings to lose a game like that” said MCC Assistant Coach Drake Henderson. “This was a really hard-fought basketball game and they’re a really well-coached team.”
The Mustangs overcame a 66-59 deficit in the final 3:19 of the game to force overtime. WWCC hit a pair of free throws with 28.5 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 67 and MCC was unable to hit a contested shot in the lane to send the game into extra time.
The Indians made the first six points in overtime and led 73-67 at the 3:27 mark before the Mustangs battled back, hitting all six free throws, including a pair with 15.1 seconds left to lead 77-75.
On the ensuing possession, MCC went the length of the floor and freshman Nate Coley (Little Rock, Ark.) hit a bucket driving the lane and was fouled with 4.4 seconds left. He made the free throw to put MCC up 78-77 before Western Wyoming pulled off the clutch bucket with 0.2 remaining in overtime.
“Nate Coley makes a great drive at the end and makes a huge free throw to give us the lead at the end,” said Henderson. “Credit to Western for executing in the final seconds and credit to the kid for hitting the big shot.”
With 0.2 left on the clock, MCC tried a full-court pass that went out of bounds and Western Wyoming inbounded under their own basket to secure the win.
No statistics were available at publication time.
“It was an off-shooting night for us,” said Henderson. “I thought we did a good job of fighting through it and putting us in a position to win the game.”
The Indians finish the first half of the season at 8-7. Western Wyoming goes to 7-7.
“We’re going to rest up and try to enjoy the break coming up, and be ready to make a run next semester,” said Henderson.
MCC will be off until Jan. 11 when then travel to Central Community College for a Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference game followed by the start of the Region IX South schedule Jan. 17 and 18 on the road to Colorado to play Otero College and Trinidad State.
The Indians return to the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center Jan. 21 against Lamar. MCC is 5-0 at home this season.
Up-to-date information about MCC basketball including livestream links, schedule, statistics, rosters, photos and more can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com