MCC men top Laramie County for third time

STERLING, Colo. – For the third time this season and second time in a week, the McCook Community College men’s basketball have bested Laramie County Community College. MCC’s 96-92 win Friday came in the opening game of the Region IX North/South Shootout hosted by Northeastern Junior College.

“Laramie is a good team, and being able to beat them three times in a semester is a big deal,” said MCC Assistant Coach Drake Henderson.

MCC’s guard trio of Nate Coley, Norris Bourne Jr. and Madison Peaster combined for 66 points to lead the Indians to their third win over the Golden Eagles. MCC beat LCCC Nov. 1 in the season opener at Cheyenne, Wyo. 88-83 and topped the Golden Eagles Dec. 6 at the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center 101-88.

Bourne Jr, sophomore transfer from Beaumont, Texas and Coley, (freshman, Little Rock, Ark.), both scored 23 points while Peaster (sophomore, Little Rock, Ark.) chipped in 20 points. Bourne Jr. made three of seven 3-point shots and went eight-for-nine from the free-throw line. Coley made two of six shots from distance and made 11 of 14 free throws. Peaster went seven-for-10 from the field and six-for-six from the line.

“I thought we played really well offensively,” said Henderson. “One of our goals coming into the game was to drive to the paint and get to the free throw line, and I think we executed that really well.”

The Indians shot 85 percent from the line, making 34 of 40 attempts. MCC shot 54.9 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from the arc on 17 shots.

“Getting to the free throw line 40 times and making 85 percent of them is huge,” said Henderson.

MCC had a 25-24 rebound edge and turned the ball over nine times. The Indians got 24 bench points with freshman Vladimir Brkovic (Uzice, Serbia) scoring12 points sophomore transfers (Marial Diper, Rumbek, South Sudan) and Dave Olaniyi (Newark, N.J.) both scored six.

LCCC shot 57.9 percent from the field, made seven of 21 shots from the 3-point line (33.3 percent) and went 19 of 24 from the line (79.2 percent) while turning the ball over nine times.

MCC led at the half 50-45 and stretched it to 55-45 just two minutes into the second half. The Golden Eagles chipped into the MCC lead several times until the Indians went up 85-73 on a Peaster dunk with 6:06 left to play.

With 1:52 left in the game a pair of Laramie County free throws cut the MCC lead to 89-86, but Coley went four-for-four from the free-throw line in the final 46 seconds to help the Indians hold the lead.

“Laramie made plays to make it a game at the end,” said Henderson. “We’re proud of our guys for making the plays in the last two minutes to come out with the win.”

The Golden Eagles fall to 5-8 on the season.

The Indians improve to 8-6 and will close out the semester Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the North/South Shootout classic taking on Western Wyoming (6-7).

“We’re looking to finish the semester strong tomorrow against Western Wyoming,” said Henderson.

MCC is looking to avenge a 78-71 loss to the Mustangs Nov. 29 in the Casper Thanksgiving Classic.

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