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Bryce Hoekman
This game would be a tale of two halves as MCC traveled to Edgerton for the rematch of the two Red Rock Conference teams. MCC got the better of the Flying Dutchmen in the first game, winning 88-67, but that game was closer then the score would indicate.
Edgerton got off to a fantastic start offensively. It looked like MCC’s legs were stuck in mud, as they struggled to stay in front of the basketball in their man to man defense and were constantly chasing the ball in their zone. Edgerton took full advantage, knocking down shot after shot. Penetrating and kicking, crashing the glass, and just playing with a different level of energy then the Rebels. Edgerton knocked down 7 three point shots in the first half and for the game would make 12 of 28. MCC shot 4-24 from beyond the arc. 17% against 43%. Edgerton made 23 field goals total, 12 from deep and only 11 from inside the arc. An unusual statistic. The Rebels connected on 23 from inside the arc. Edgerton was 5-7 from the foul line to MCC’s 10-21.
MCC would dig themselves a hole early. By the 12 minute mark, Edgerton held a 19-4 lead. The Rebels cut it to 10 with 8:30 to go on an Aidan Dierks three. 24 to 14. Edgerton answered back and went on a run of their own, pushing the lead to 15 again at 31-16 with 5:30 to go in the half.
The defense dug its heels in, only allowing 2 points the rest of the half and MCC would mostly keep their wits about them, even though it seemed like they couldn’t do much right. They got to the foul line and shots would roll out, find open shots and would watch the ball roll around the rim and rattle out. Defensively, they seemed a half step late, but they kept playing. At the end of the half the score read Edgerton 33 and MCC 26.
Hoekman paced the Rebels in the first half scoring 14 of the 26 points. MCC was looking for balance and they would find it in the second half.
The Rebels struck first in the second half, as the third stop in a row on defense, ended with an Aidan Dierks steal and lay-up. MCC got another stop to add to their streak, before Carter Lewis got an offensive rebound and put back.
Down three, MCC gave up another 3, the 8th of the game for Edgerton, before Hudson Schryvers made a great move at the mid-post and finished with his left hand.
The energy and momentum had shifted and MCC started playing their style of basketball. At the 13:38 mark, MCC took the lead at 39-38. The little things, that were not evident in the first half, started to become more apparent for MCC. Offensive rebounds, getting on the floor for loose balls, playing with passion, high fives, etc. All the intangibles that it takes to win ball games.
There was a lot of game left and the Rebels were going to have to earn it down the stretch. With 7 minutes to play, the score was MCC 50 and Edgerton 45. Similar to the first half, MCC did not shoot well from the foul line, making 3 of 10. Lay-ups would roll out and even the ones that went in were an emotional roller coaster.
At the six minute mark MCC was up 7 and at the five minute mark they were up 9. Give credit to Edgerton, they just kept playing hard and attacking. With four minutes left, the lead was only 6. With three minutes left, it was 5 before Hoekman scored 2 of his game high 24.
With 2:30 left, the lead was back to 5 before Carter Lewis went coast to coast against the Flying Dutchmen full court pressure for the lay-in. With under 2 minutes to play, MCC held a 7 point advantage of 6255. With just over a minute to go, Ross Engelkes would hit a three from the kickout by Hoekman to go up 10. But this thing still wasn’t over yet.
Edgerton answered back with a three, MCC turned it over in transition. Edgerton hit another 3, which bounced off both sides of the rim, shot up in the air and swished through the basket. 33 seconds left and the score was 65-61.
Edgerton would foul Gavin Gillette who made 1-2. On the miss, Ross Engelkes, who has a knack for late game offensive rebounds on free throw misses, would do just that and force a jump ball. MCC retained possession. Aidan Dierks would head to the foul line but miss the front end. Engelkes was a fingertip away from another offensive rebound, but Edgerton attained possession.
MCC would force a contested three point shot and Hoekman grabbed the rebound and was fouled. He would miss the front end of the 1 and 1. With the score 66-61, MCC fouled Edgerton in transition and they connected on both free throws with under 10 seconds remaining.
Carter Lewis would inbound to Gavin Gillette, who was immediately fouled and connected on both free throws, giving the Rebels the 68-63 lead and win. A tough ball game indeed. Many lessons to be learned, but MCC found a way to win against a much improved and scrappy Edgerton team.
Leading Scorers: Bryce Hoekman with 24, Ross Engelkes with 14, Aidan Dierks with 9, Hudson Schyrvers with 8 Leading Rebounders: Bryce Hoekman with 9, Ross Engelkes with 8, Carter Lewis with 6 Leading Steals: Aidan Dierks with 3 Leading Assists: Aidan Dierks with 5
