Indians roll past Lions in Nighthawk Classic, 101-57

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The McCook Community College men cruised to a 101-57 win over the Royal Ambassadors Saturday in the final game of the National Park College Nighthawk Classic. MCC went 2-0 in the Classic.

“This was a really fun game,” said MCC Assistant Coach Drake Henderson. “We’re happy to finish this trip 2-0. Our guys have really enjoyed it.”

The Indians came out hot early cruising to a 54-15 halftime lead over the post-graduate program from Jackson, Tenn.

Freshman Sofiane Benragba, (freshman, Montpellier, France) scored 13 first-half points and led MCC in scoring for the game with 21 points. Sophomore Nate Coley, (Little Rock, Ark.) scored 18 points and Lukas Gudavicius, (sophomore, Palanga, Lithuania) added 13.

“We were happy to be able to get all our guys in. And I think everybody that got in was able to make a shot,” said Henderson. “So it’s always fun when everybody is able to get on the stat sheet.”

Luke Sinisa (sophomore, Auckland, North Island New Zealand) scored 12 points off the bench. Freshmen guards Owen Stack (Melbourne, Australia) scored 10 points and Kaiden Porter (McCook) chipped in eight points. Alier Alier, (redshirt freshman, Bor, South Sudan) scored eight points on four dunks.

“We’re going to hit the road Sunday to come home and get ready for our next one and try to keep the momentum rolling,” said Henderson.

MCC improves to 7-3 and will return for one last home game before the Christmas break, hosting York University JV (2-5) Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Indians handed the Panthers a 120-76 loss at home Nov. 17.

MCC will be on the road for their final five games in December with a trip to Wyoming and rematch games in Torrington and Cheyenne next weekend. The Indians swept those two teams to start the season at home winning 76-61 against Eastern Wyoming (2-9) and 98-80 against Laramie County College (3-5).

The Indians also have a rematch with No. 14 Indian Hills Community College (7-1) Dec. 10 in Ottumwa, Iowa. The Warriors beat MCC 88-73 in McCook Nov. 21. Finally, MCC will close out the semester in Nevada at the Las Vegas Tarkanian Classic taking on No. 4 Snow College (7-0) Dec. 18 and Salt Lake Community College (2-6) Dec. 19.

After the holiday break MCC will transition into the Region IX schedule with a key matchup at home Jan. 10 when North Platte Community College comes to the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center for a 4 p.m. tipoff. That game is the second half of a women’s/men’s doubleheader.

Up-to-date information about MCC men’s basketball including livestream links for home games, schedule, statistics, rosters, photos and more can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com