MCC FALLS TO 6-6 WITH LOSS TO PANTHERS

The Rebels had a quick turnaround, as they traveled to Tracy for an early afternoon tip Saturday against a tough and explosive Panther ball club. This would surely be a tight game and it did not disappoint, even though there were stretches that made you think otherwise.

MCC got off to a slow, start to say the least. The game started off with back to back to back Rebels turnovers. This was definitely a foreshadow for the next 13 minutes. The offense looked out of sync and the defense transitioned with no urgency. TMB would earn 8-10 transition points. Some of them came off of Rebel free throw attempts!

Before you knew it, the score was 25-11 with 7:14 remaining in the half and the Rebels had used their second timeout to try and keep the momentum from overrunning the team.

The score remained the same until Ross Engelkes made a nice move in the post at the 6 minute mark to pull the Rebels within 12. In the halfcourt, MCC played solid defense, holding TMB’s leading scorers to a combined 9 points. At this point most of the 25 points from the Panthers had come in transition.

MCC kept chipping away and chipping away and went big on the floor. Aidan Swenson and Bryce Hoekman were a big part of the last 6 minutes of the half. MCC went from down 25-11, into the half down 29-28! TMB struggled to score over all the size and defensively, it led to many fouls, putting MCC in the bonus and double bonus. Unfortunately, the Rebels could not deliver from the charity stripe as they should have. Shooting 54% for the game.

The second half would start similarly to the first half, as the Rebels backside defense was caught unaware and gave up an easy two.

The two teams would go back and forth until the 14:00 minute mark. when Aidan Dierks knocked down two free throws to give MCC their first lead of the game at 36-35. Bryce Hoekman scored the next four points of the game pushing the lead to 40-35.

MCC would get a stop on defense and had a chance to continue the run. An open Dierks jump shot would rattle in and out and TMB would follow up on their next possession with an offensive rebound put back. A momentum changer to say the least.

MCC was called for an offensive hooking foul before TMB would score again. Aidan Swenson answered back by slipping to the basket for an easy deuce off a nice Owen Gillette pass.

Tracy then answered with a tough post shot that rolled around the rim and in. MCC would get a little out of character on their next possessions, driving into traffic and turning the ball over. This led to an easy run out lay-up for TMB, which also gave them the lead at 4342 with under 10 minutes to go. A three second violation would ensue on the Rebels next possession as the ball was picked up at the elbow area, the dribble was used and MCC was unable to kick the ball out and step outside the lane.

TMB would score again on their next possession to go up 45-42 before Bryce Hoekman would drain a beautiful 15 foot jump shot. The Panthers run of consecutive buckets was not over yet as they hit a three on their next possession, followed by another contested long two.

MCC answered back with a great action as the doubled Hoekman found an aware and back cutting Ross Engelkes for the easy two. MCC would earn a stop and Owen Gillette would do the exact same thing Engelkes did. He was fouled and went 1-2 from the line.

The score was 50-47 TMB with 7:30 to play. A big offensive rebound on the Panthers next possession turned into 2 more hustle points for TMB. Ross Engelkes answered that with his own offensive rebound and put back. He was fouled and missed the free throw of the one and one. Down 3 with under 7 to play, it was still anyone’s ball game.

The Rebels got a stop and had an excellent opportunity for a back side lay-up. Hoekman would be doubled in the high post, but indecisiveness cost MCC the possession. Hoekman looked to pass and the wing player didn’t read the double team and cut.

TMB was the next team to find a bucket to go up 5, and MCC forced a tough fadeaway shot from the short corner, which led to a Panther run out and lay-up.

After a three would rim out for the Rebels, the Panthers delivered on a backdoor cut lay-up to push the lead to 9. MCC cut the lead back to 7 but ended up losing the ball game by that exact number, 67-60.

There are always multiple factors that go into winning and losing close games, but a slow start in the first half and the cardinal sin of not making your free throws throughout the game was too much to overcome. MCC falls to 6-6 and will host RTR, Tuesday night in Slayton for a big section and Red Rock Conference match-up!

Leading Scorers: Bryce Hoekman with 21. Ross Engelkes with 11, Hudson Schryvers with 10.

Leading Rebounders: Bryce Hoekman and Carter Lewis with 10 each Leading Assists: Aidan Dierks with 3 and Owen Gillette with 3 Leading Steals: Hudson Shyrvers with 3