Lamar takes over Region IX lead with win over MCC men
LAMAR, Colo. – The Lamar Community College men took over first-place in the Region IX standings Friday with a 97-83 win over McCook Community College men. With two weeks remaining in the season all seven teams still have a shot at the title.
The Runnin’ Lopes are the first team to five wins in the standings at 5-3 and have a half-game lead over three other teams who are at 4-3 and two more are at 3-4. MCC falls to last place in the standings at 2-5 but will play four of their final four games at the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center, where they are 7-1 this season.
In other Region IX action Friday, Trinidad State topped Western Nebraska 94-89 at home and Otero downed Northeastern Junior College at home 71-66. The standings could flip again on Saturday as Otero hosts Western Nebraska and NJC travels to Trinidad State.
On Friday, Lamar led MCC 42-29 at the intermission and increased the lead to 31 points at the midway point of the second half.
“This was a tough loss tonight,’ said MCC Assistant Coach Drake Henderson. “But credit to Lamar, they came out of the gates hot, and we felt like we were playing catch-up the rest of the way.”
Henderson said one of the keys going into the game was controlling the tempo, but that didn’t happen.
“Lamar controlled the tempo most of the game, but I’m proud of our guys’ effort,” said Henderson. “I felt like we cut the lead to within striking distance a couple times but just couldn’t get the stop we needed in those key possessions. But we’re really proud of the toughness our guys showed in a really hostile environment tonight, this is a tough place to play.”
MCC shot 37.9 percent from the field in the first half, 61.3 percent in the second half and 50.0 percent for the game. The Indians made four of 17 threes (23.5 percent), went 19-for-23 from the free-throw line (82.6 percent) and had 19 turnovers.
Lamar shot 52.2 percent from the field, hit on eight of 19 shots from the arc (42.1 percent) and made 22 of 36 free throws (61.1) percent. The Lopes outrebounded MCC 42-31.
Sophomore Madison Peaster (Little Rock, Ark.) led MCC with 27 points, sophomore Norris Bourne Jr. (Beaumont, Texas) scored 21 and freshman Nate Coley, (Little Rock, Ark.) chipped in 17 points. Freshman Vladimir Brkovic (Uzice, Serbia) paced the Indians in the glass with six boards.
Overall, Lamar goes to 8-14 while MCC falls to 12-13.
The Indians will be home Tuesday to take on Northeastern Junior College at 7:30 p.m. and return a week later for the rematch with North Platte. That men’s only game starts at 7:30 p.m.
MCC closes out the home slate Feb. 28 against Trinidad State (7:30 p.m.) and March 1 against Otero College (4 p.m.)
“We’re going to learn from tonight, looking forward to coming back home on Tuesday against NJC, every game from here on out is vital, and we’re going to try to put together four or five wins in a row here,” said Henderson.
The Indians’ lone remaining game on the road takes place Feb. 21 at Scottsbluff against Western Nebraska.
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
REGION IX SOUTH D-1 MEN’S STANDINGS
W-L PCT OVERALL
Lamar CC 5-3 .625 8-14 (.364)
Western Nebraska 4-3 .571 9-14 (.391)
North Platte 4-3 .571 16-9 (.640)
Trinidad State 4-3 .571 11-13 (.458)
Northeastern JC 3-4 .429 8-17 (.320)
Otero College 3-4 .419 9-13 (.409)
McCook 2-5 .286 12-13 (.480)
FRIDAY RESULTS
Lamar 97, McCook CC 83 (at Lamar)
Trinidad State 94, Western Nebraska 89 (at Trinidad)
Otero College 71, Northeastern JC 66 (at La Junta)
SATURDAY GAMES
Western Nebraska at Otero College
Northeastern JC at Trinidad State
REMAINING MCC SCHEDULE
Feb. 18 – Northeastern JC at McCook, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 21 – McCook CC at Western Nebraska, 8:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 – North Platte at McCook, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 28 – Otero College at McCook CC (7:30 p.m.)
March 1 – Trinidad State at McCook CC (4 p.m.)