Indians rout Aggies at home

Grant Strunk/McCook Daily Gazette MCC freshman Russell Ridlen (33), from Wauneta-Palisade, slaps the basketball away from NCTA's Joel Hodgson during Tuesday night's game at True Hall Gymnasium. MCC won the game 113-54.

Seven players scored in double figures as the McCook Community College men's basketball team routed Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture-Curtis 113-54 Tuesday night at True Hall Gymnasium.

MCC improved to 4-2.

Lionel Robinson (Jacksonville, Fla.) led the Indians with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Luvonte Rhines added 17 points. Russell Ridlen had 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

Brian Gaston had 11 points and 2 rebounds. John Thompson had 11 points and 6 assists. Jared Deal (Tucson, Ariz.) had 10 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. Joel Arterburn added 10 points.

MCC first-year head coach Brandon Lenhart put five area players on the floor against the Aggies in the second half.

Arterburn and Gaston are sophomores from McCook. Russell and Trevor Ridlen are freshmen from Wauneta-Palisade. Thompson is a freshman from Hitchcock County.

Friday's game against the York College junior varsity was canceled.

MCC will host Iowa Western at 7 p.m. Saturday and play at 8 p.m. Tuesday against Dodge City (Kan.) Community College at the Dodge City Civic Auditorium.

MCC hosts the McCook Classic during the Thanksgiving weekend.

MCC takes on the William Penn junior varsity at 8 p.m. Nov. 23 and the MCC All-Stars at 4 p.m. Nov. 24.

MCC women -- The McCook Community College women's basketball team posted a 1-1 record at the Otero Junior College Classic at LaJunta, Colo.

MCC beat Colorado Northwestern 98-74. Ashley Foe scored 19, Shanice Johnson scored 12, Bridgette Riddick scored 14.

MCC lost to Western Oklahoma 83-71. Bridgette Riddick scored 22 and also had 9 rebounds. Foe scored 21 and Johnson scored 17. Kendra Knight scored 14 points and had 9 rebounds.

"As a coach I am happy with the win but, I feel like we let one slip through our hands," said MCC women's coach Benjamin Smith. "The best part of the year for me is to watch the progression of a winning attitude manifest itself within the team. Certainly, this process has not fully come to fruition with our team but I am confident that we are closer.

"The kids feel as though we missed an opportunity and that makes them dangerous. I am eager to see how we bounce back this week in Casper (Wyoming).

The MCC women (2-2) play Wednesday through Friday at the Casper Classic in Casper, Wyo.