MCC men sizzle past Rattlers, but fall to Trinidad

LA JUNTA, Colo. – The McCook Community College men got hot from the 3-point line in the final five minutes of the game Friday to take a road game over Otero Junior College 93-84.

“We had a lot of good stuff from a lot of guys,” said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl.

With the game tied 77-77 at the 4:45 mark of the second half, MCC took control with three critical 3-pointers down the stretch.

Sophomore Simon Akena (Stockholm, Sweden) sank a 3-pointer with 4:20 left to put MCC up 80-77.

After a pair of missed free throws 10 second later, MCC got an offensive rebound from freshman Noah Boyed, (Castries, St. Lucia) and the ball ended up in the hands of freshman William Humer (Sollentuna, Sweden) was able to make the Rattlers pay with his long-range bucket to give MCC an 83-77 lead.

With 3:26 left to play Akena hit another 3-pointer to put MCC up 86-77.

MCC shot 57.6 percent for the game, made nine of 16 3-pointers (56.3 percent) and shot 17-for-26 from the free-throw line (59.3 percent).

Akena led all scorers with 24 points. Boyed scored 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds with four blocked shots. Humer scored 18 points on a three-for-four night from the 3-point line along with seven rebounds.

Freshman Martel Evans (Omaha Creighton Prep) scored 10 points.

Trinidad tops MCC

TRINIDAD, Colo. – The Trinidad State men completed an undefeated Region IX season Saturday with an 83-60 win over McCook Community College.

“This was a tough one today,” said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. “They are tough to guard full-strength and with us being down guys it just made it really difficult for us.”

With an injury to freshman William Humer (Sollentuna, Sweden), MCC had eight players suit up and play in the game.

The Trojans got 31 points from Dejour Reaves. TSC shot 48.6 percent for the game.

MCC’s Simon Akena (sophomore, Stockholm, Sweden) led MCC with 30 points. He was nine of 17 from the field, made two of three 3-pointers and went 10 of 13 from the free throw line.

“Simon was really good for us today,” said Brandl.

Freshman Noah Boyed (Castries, St. Lucia) scored 16 points. Sophomore Cameron Nyarko (London, England) led all players with 11 rebounds.

“I thought when they allowed Noah to play, he was really hard to guard and opened up a lot for us” said Brandl.

MCC shot 37.5 percent from the field, made four of 17 shots from 3-point range (23.5 percent) and went 14 of 19 from the line (73.7 percent). MCC was outrebounded by TSC 43-35, and turned the ball over 17 times.

“We’ll take the next couple days to get healthy and get ready for opening round this weekend,” Brandl said.

The first-round pairings, dates and times will be announced following the final Region IX games Tuesday night.

Trinidad State goes caps off a 12-0 run through the Region IX south schedule and clinch the top seed, 20-7 overall.

MCC finishes at 6-6 and 11-19 overall and tied for second place in the standings with Western Nebraska, a 85-73 loser at home to Northeastern Junior College. NJC has a game left at North Platte Tuesday and has the chance to tie MCC and Western with 6-6 Region IX records.

For all the up-to-date information on MCC basketball this season and all sports including schedules, statistics, rosters and photos, please visit the official website of MCC Athletics at mccindians.com

MEN’S REGION IX SOUTH STANDINGS

W – L PCT. OVERALL)

Trinidad State 12 – 0 1.000 (20-7)

Western Neb. 6 – 6 .500 (15-14)

McCook CC 6 – 6 .500 (11-19)

Northeastern 5 – 6 .455 (14-13)

Lamar CC 5 – 7 .417 (10-19)

Otero JC 5 – 7 .417 (13-16)

North Platte 2 – 9 .200 (12-15)