MLAC 70 - MCC 65
The Rebels boys team traveled to Mountain Lake Friday night to take on the Wolverines. MLAC played the Rebels tough in their first match-up in Slayton and this game would be no different. Unfortunately for MCC, the outcome would be different, as the Wolverines would have a huge advantage from the foul line, which proved to be one of the biggest differences in the outcome of this 5 point loss for the Rebels.
The Rebels got off to a nice start, leading 8-2 at the 14 minute mark and then 10-4 shortly after that, but the foul trouble had already started to mount for MCC. This would prove to be costly in two ways. One, taking players off the court and two, free throws for MLAC would add up.
MCC went up 12-4 after an Aidan Swenson paint shot at the 12 minute mark, before MLAC hit a 12 foot jumper in the middle of the lane to pull the lead back to 6. MCC turned the ball over 4 times in their next 8 possessions, helping MLAC close the gap to 3 before Hudson Schyrvers knocked down two free throws. A poor closeout and contest on the Rebels next defensive possession led to a three point shot for the Wolverines.
MCC led by just 2 with 8:30 to go. MLAC tied the game at 18 before Max Miller hit a corner three, but the Wolverines answered right back with a 2 of their own to cut the lead back to 1 with 5:40 to go in the half.
MLAC took their first lead of the night with just under 5 minutes to play, after they connected on two free throws. Dylan Kluis answered back and retook the lead for MCC with a nice bank shot from the left lane line.
The two teams went back and forth all the way to the end of the half, when MLAC took their biggest lead of the game, after the Rebels did not box out on a last second shot. The Wolverines gained the offensive rebound and put the ball in just before the buzzer. 30-27, MLAC.
It was a tough half for the Rebels, as starting center Aidan Swenson only played a handful of minutes. Turnovers mounted up at inopportune times, like there is ever a good time. Rebels couldn’t stack up stops and scores together after the first 4 minutes of the half.
The second half would see Swenson score on the Rebels first possession and this was followed by a MLAC turnover, but the Rebels could not regain the lead, as a late in the shot clock heave did not draw iron, giving the ball back to the Wolverines.
MLAC went on a 9-4 run to start the half, going up 39-31 at the 12:44 mark, before Hudson Schryvers scored. It seemed like the Rebels defense was having issues finding the shooters for MLAC, digging in too far in the zone and leaving shooters open on the wings and corners. Offensively, the flow was not evident. MCC really had to work to get into their actions. Turnovers were consistent during this stretch, as well as, MCC putting themselves behind the 8 ball over and over again.
The Rebels battled back and got the lead down to 2, 39-37. They had 3 possessions to tie or take the lead, but a turnover on their third possession, led to an open corner three by MLAC’s most productive scorer with 10 minutes left to go in the game. 42-37, MLAC.
Every time the Rebels cut the score to a single possession game, they would turn the ball over or give up an open three or foul, getting the Wolverines to the free throw line. They just couldn’t quite get out of their own way. In the meantime, Aidan Swenson and Gavin Gillette both had 4 fouls on their way to fouling out of the game. The leading scorers and rebounders for the Rebels were in and out of the game. Gillette leads the team in steals and assists as well. A lot of production was not on the court, but the Rebels kept battling. With 4:20 to go, down 3.
The two teams went back and forth scoring from the foul line, before MLAC drilled another open three. Credit to the Wolverines, they made open shot after open shot and connected on their free throws. MLAC went 20/25 from the foul line to the Rebels 6/10.
The Rebels found themselves down 9 with 1:18 left to go, before Dylan Kluis hit a three to bring the Rebels within 6. MCC wasn’t throwing in the towel. MLAC hit two free throws before Gavin Gillette hit a three bringing the lead to 5 with 50 seconds left.
Seconds later, Gillette fouled out on a tough break call. MLAC missed both free throws and Hudson Schryvers came down on the offensive end and earned his way to the foul line, making both, cutting the lead to 3 with 47 seconds left. The Rebels fouled on their next possession, sending MLAC to the line. They made both, but Schryvers answered back and drilled a three, cutting the lead to 2 with 35 seconds left.
This would be as close as the Rebels would get, as MLAC connected on 5 of 6 free throws to earn the 70-65 win. MCC had four starters in double figures, a strong performance, but unfortunately for MCC the bench only contributed 2 points for the game. Tough loss for MCC, but many valuable lessons to be learned going forward into February’s schedule.
Leading Scorers: Gavin Gillette, 17. Hudson Schryvers, 15. Aidan Swenson and Dylan Kluis with 14 each. Leading Rebounders: Aidan Swenson, 15. Hudson Schryvers, 5. Leading Steals: Dylan Kluis, Gavin Gillette, and Cayden Veldhuisen with 2 each. Leading Assists: Hudson Schryvers with 3 and Dylan Kluis with 2.
