SWC 76 - MCC 62
A slow start proves to be too much to overcome as the Rebels fall to Southwest Christian by 14.
MCC’s first points did not come until the 10 minute mark against the Eagles. Down 14 to 0 at that point, the Rebels were in catch up mode the entire game. Despite the tough start, MCC made it a ball game on a couple of occasions, putting together two, second half runs to make things very interesting, but never quite getting over the hump. Exerting that much energy to come back is challenging to sustain.
Gavin Gillette scored the first two points for MCC, earning a trip to the foul line and making both. MCC would have another opportunity to chip into the lead after a stop on defense, with a one and one opportunity at the foul line, but would not convert. The defense would string together a couple stops in a row, before SWC forced a turnover and converted it into a three point shot. After another MCC turnover, the Eagles scored again and pushed the lead to 17 at 19-2 with just under 9 minutes remaining in the first half.
Gavin Gillette earned another trip to the foul line, where he connected on both, giving him all of the Rebels points. Gillette would score again off a nice cut and attack on the left lane line to move the score to 19--6. MCC got a stop on the next possession, but turned it back over to the Eagles, halting the momentum.
Andrew Holm got some of the energy back after taking his team leading 8th charge of the season on the following defensive possession. Down 13 with just under 7 minutes to play in the first half. SWC went on another mini run before the clock reached 6 minutes and pushed the lead back to 17. MCC answered back and went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 10 with 4 minutes left to play.
Tristan Behrends hit a three which was followed by a Max Miller jumper to cut the lead into the single digits, but an and-1 opportunity was earned by the Eagles to snatch momentum back again. MCC answered back with a Gavin Gillette back door, baseline cut for two. This cut the lead to 7 with 2 minutes left in the half.
SWC ended the half on another run and went into the half the way they started the game, with, a 14 point lead. 39-25.
MCC get off to a tough start in the second half, as the Eagles grabbed momentum early. The Rebels had a great look off their first possession, but a three point shot rimmed out, SWC drilled a three on their first possession, a big swing. They scored again on their next two possessions, building a 21 point lead by the 16 minute mark. MCC was forced to use a timeout.
The Rebels battled back as they always do. Hudson Schryvers scored out of the timeout on a nice attack and floater. The two teams traded turnovers on the next possessions before SWC scored again and forced MCC into a baseline violation after taking the ball out of bounds. Fortunately for the Rebels, the Eagles did not score on the ensuing possession. MCC would, as Schryvers again attacked and scored with a nice finish off the glass. He would earn a steal in transition defense and find his way to the foul line shortly after, connecting on 1 of 2 to cut the lead to 18.
Schryvers cut the lead to 15 on the Rebels’ next possession, drilling a three before Gavin Gillette got to the bucket off a steal and transition. All of a sudden the lead was 13 and the Rebels had the ball. 48-35. Wyatt Thompson scored on that possession, forcing the Eagles to call a timeout. Down 11 with 12 minutes to play.
The two teams would trade stops for the next several possessions before the Eagles scored again. But Hudson Schryvers answered back off a turnover. Unfortunately for the Rebels, SWC would score instantly, as one of their players had fallen down near their basket, receiving the full court pass and uncontested lay-up.
The Eagles went on another run, pushing the lead to 21 as the Rebels turned the ball over, leading to Eagle buckets. MCC battled back once again, but this time, time was not on their side. They closed the gap down to 12, but ran out of time. Final score was SWC 76, MCC 62. Take away the 14-0 start of the game and the Rebels and Eagles were very competitive.
Leading Scorers: Gavin Gillette, 20. Hudson Schryvers, 16. Max Miller, 11. Tristan Behrends, 8. Leading Rebounders: Gavin Gillette and Wyatt Thompson with 4 each. Leading Steals: Tristan Behrends with 4. Hudson Schryvers with 3. Leading Assists: Gavin Gillette and Tristan Behrends with 3 each.
