MCC Men hold on for 72-67 win over Southeast CC

With a new defensive set, the McCook Community College men’s basketball team picked up their second-straight win Sunday at home topping Southeast Community College 72-67 in Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference play.

“The first half went really well, we’ve been working on a new defense the past couple games focusing on making teams work to get good shots and the stat sheet shows that,” said MCC Assistant Coach Drake Henderson.

MCC led 32-31 after the first 20 minutes of the game.

“I think in the second half we got out of tempo and tried to speed up too much and it got a little messy with turnovers, especially toward the end but you have to appreciate the effort defensively,” said Henderson.

MCC held Southeast to 36.2 percent shooting for the game and just 24.2 percent from the 3-point line.

The Indians shot 45 percent from the field and made four of 16 (25 percent) from the arc.

“We’re still trying to find our rhythm and get on a roll,” said Henderson. “Conference-wise and region-wise, it’s been tight – I think every game’s been decided by five points or less. You just have to come and give it your best effort each night.”

On Sunday MCC was trying to find that rhythm with two players gone, battling sickness. Despite that, four of the eight players who suited up scored in double figures.

Freshman Vladimir Brkovic (Uzice, Serbia) led the team with 14 points including a two-for-five afternoon shooting the 3. Sophomore Dave Olaniyi (Newark, N.J.) scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Freshman Jason Robinson (Waterbury, Conn.) led the team with 11 boards and scored 11 points. Freshman Da'Shawn Hall-Johnson (Bridgeport, Conn.) scored 13 points with five rebounds.

MCC goes to 2-1 in the Nebraska conference and 10-10 overall. On Tuesday the Indians, who are 1-2 in region play dive back into Region IX south schedule when they host Western Nebraska (1-1 and 6-12 overall).

The Indians are 7-0 at home this season.

“It feels good to be home, I think you shoot better at home and we take pride in protecting that home court,” said Henderson.

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