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Indians lament '18 finale after edging Lancers
McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Community College men’s basketball team dropped its final game of the calendar year Saturday at home, losing 84-80 to Laramie County Community College.
“We were just ill-prepared, even from the shoot-around,” MCC coach Brandon Lenhart said. “And I let it happen.”
In assessing the game and how the team could have been “five points better” than LCC, the coach cited the presence of nagging physical and mental breakdowns.
“Not big issues but a lot of little ones that happened through the entire 40 minutes that cost us the game.”
For instance, he cited the lack of focus on the team’s scouting report.
“It wasn’t necessarily a lack of effort tonight but more a lack of concentration on doing the job we need them to do to be a better team,” Lenhart said.
Tied at the half 38-38 the teams traded leads 11 times and were tied eight times until the Golden Eagles took control over the past five minutes of the game stretching the lead to nine points at the 1:59 minute mark of the second half and the Indians cut the lead to two, got a defensive stop but couldn’t take advantage of free throws.
Four MCC players scored in double-figures.
Freshman Miles Black (Jonesboro, Ga.) led the way with 15 points, sophomore Peanut Cunningham (Louisville, Kent.) and freshman Mardrez McBride (Augusta, Ga.) each scored 12 points, and freshman Kailee White Jr. (Henrietta, N.Y.) scored 11 points.
MCC won the rebound battle 38-28 with Cunningham and White each snatching six each.
The Indians shot 45 percent from the field for the game in this last contest until January.
MCC 70, EWC 66
McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Community College men’s basketball team overcame a slow start offensively, erased a 10-point deficit just before halftime, and came back to down Eastern Wyoming College Friday night 76-66.
“Our guys did a good job of putting their feet down and coming out with a much better effort the final 20 minutes of this game,” MCC coach Brandon Lenhart said.
The Indians trailed at the half 34-26 after making just eight of 28 shots (29.6 percent).
“Offensive rebounds were key for us in a lot of critical situations tonight,” Lenhart said. “The Indians won the rebound battle 40-33 including 13 on the offensive end while the Lancers had just four.
Freshman Tyrek Battle-Holley (Jersey City, N.J.) and sophomore Peanut Cunningham (Louisville, Kent) tied for team-high scoring honors with 17 points apiece.
“I thought Tyrek not only lifted us offensively and on defense but has become a phenomenal leader this season,” Lenhart said.
“Peanut Cunningham had a phenomenal game for us too,” Lenhart said.
The Lancers fall to 4-8 on the season.
“Eastern Wyoming’s a good team and our team deserves a lot of credit for beating a good team,” Lenhart said in this last game until January.