MCC men fall to Western Nebraska Friday at home, 95-92

MCC men fall to Western Nebraska Friday at home, 95-92

The McCook Community College men got down 21 points in the first half, came back with a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but fell to Western Nebraska Friday night 95-92.

"This is the story of our season," said MCC Coach Kyle Drennan. "We shoot 53 percent and lose again, we shoot 50 percent from the 3-point line and lose, we're going to keep having the same conversation until this team understands it's never going to be about the offense for us, it's got to be about defense, and rebounding and all the little things."

The Cougars came out shooting 63 percent in the first half and stretched the lead to 21 with 2:21 left in the first half.

"You just can't go down 21 to a talented team like this," Drennan said. "I'm proud of our fight, I'm proud of the fact we got back in it, but man this one hurts."

Freshman LeTre Darthard (Denton, Texas) paced MCC offensively with 23 points. Sophomore Raheim Sullivan (Toronto, Ontario) scored 20 points and had four assists. Sophomore Justin Costello (Omaha /Elkhorn South High School) scored 12 points and freshman Denzel Cummins (Oshawa, Ontario) chipped in 10 points.

The Indians shot 52.5 percent from the field on 61 shots; made 12 of 24 shots from the 3-point line and sank 10 of 13 free throws (76.9 percent). MCC was out-rebounded 30-26.

Western shot 59 percent from the floor, made eight of 15 3-pointers (53.3) and 10 of 13 free throws (76.9 percent.

"If we ever put it all together for 40 minutes we can be dangerous," Drennan said, "But man, it's a lot of woulda, coulda, shoulda's at this point."

Western Nebraska goes to 16-7 on the year and 6-2 in the south division of Region IX.

MCC falls to 9-14 and 1-7 in the south division and host Central Community College (13-10) Saturday, at 4 p.m. for the annual Blue-Out games to raise money and awareness for children with disabilities. MCC spring royalty will also be announced at that game.

For more information on MCC basketball and all MCC sports, visit the official site of MCC Athletics at https://mccindians.com/index.aspx?path=mbball

For more photos from tonight's game please visit the McCook Community College Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/MPCCMcCook/

If you can't make it to the next MCC home watch it live at: https://mccindians.com/sports/2016/11/10/tw.aspx?tab=tribewatch