Indians’ season ends with 99-72 loss to Gillette

Photo courtesy Mark Rein, Western Nebraska Community College Sports Information

SCOTTSBLUFF – The season came to an end for the McCook Community College men Thursday with a 99-72 loss to Gillette College in the semifinals of the Region IX Tournament.

“This one really hurts. The final always does,” said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. “I thought Gillette played about as well as they could have in a lot of different areas. There is a reason they were 26-4.”

The Pronghorns edged to an early 10-point lead, but MCC fought back to close the game to 29-24 with about eight minutes left in the half.

“We were sitting pretty good in the first half then they go on a 21-3 run which was one of the worst ones of the year and we just never recovered,” said Brandl.

Gillette went on to a 50-27 lead at intermission.

“Our guys fought though. It would have been easy to give up and just play but they stayed with it and competed,” said Brandl.

MCC shot 28.6 percent from the field in the first half and 30.9 percent for the game.

“Offensively I thought we had a ton of great looks, we really did,” said Brandl. “We just could not get one from the 3-point line to go and just did not finish well enough around the rim which is really disappointing.”

From the 3-point line the Indians made just two of 15 treys in the first half (13.3 percent) and went six-for-33 in the game (18.2 percent.) MCC made 16 of 20 free throws (80 percent).

Gillette shot 48.8 percent from the field, made eight of 26 shots from the 3-point line (30.8 percent) and made nine of 11 free throws (81.8 percent.

“Defensively we gave up way too many straight-line drives and you just can't do that against this team,” said Brandl.

MCC edged Gillette on the glass 52-51.

Sophomore Brandon Kabuya Mpoyi (Paris, France) made nine of his 10 shots from the field to lead the Indians in scoring with 19 points to go along with nine boards. Ty Foster (sophomore Bronx, N.Y.) scored 17 points. Freshman Bryan Akanmu (Paris, France) scored 12 points and led MCC in rebounds with 11.

“I can't thank the sophomores enough for trusting in me to help them grow not only as a basketball player but to help them grow as people,” said Brandl. “Making a college decision is a huge choice and I am forever grateful for them and the effort they gave me.”

MCC finishes the season 11-21. Gillette improves to 27-4 and will play Trinidad State (23-8) Friday in the first semifinal game at 6 p.m. (CT)

Up-to-date information about MCC basketball including schedules, statistics, rosters and photos can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com.