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Aidan Swenson -
Dylan Kluis
MCC looked to improve on their conference record as they hosted the Edgerton Flying Dutchmen Friday night. The game would feature an experienced Dutchmen team and a roller coaster type game that would see both teams go on big runs.
MCC got on the board first with a Ross Engelkes corner three. The defense held steady on its first 2 possessions. Bryce Hoekman scored on the Rebels next possession to go up 5-0. Edgerton then hit a three on their next possession before both teams would go scoreless for the next 1:30. Aidan Dierks hit a left wing three and the Rebels forced a Flying Dutchmen turnover on the next possession.
MCC went on a big run after the Dierks three and pushed the lead up to 26 to 9. Dylan Kluis and Hudson Schyrvers would both hit from long range during the run. The Rebels played fast and fundamentally sound during this stretch, causing turnovers and quick shots by the Dutchmen and not allowing them to set up in the half court defense. MCC was decisive with their passes
and pressured Edgerton all over the court.
All of a sudden the game switched in favor of Edgerton. MCC’s pressure waivered and the fundamental play dissipated, allowing Edgerton to answer back on a big run of their own. Fouls and turnovers plagued MCC and with 6:15 left in the half the score was 26-17. MCC had been stuck on 26 since the 8:28 mark of the half.
The Rebels answered back and pushed the lead back up to 33-19 with just under three minutes left in the half, but Edgerton would answer right back with a run of their own. MCC had three starters on the bench for the majority of the run, as Edgerton cut the lead to 33-25. The starters would come back in the game to preserve the lead for the last 1:38 and MCC would go into the half up 39-30 after an Aiden Dierks and-1 and a huge Dierks offensive rebound would lead to a big Hudson Schryvers 3, right before the half.
The second half started alot like the first. MCC came storming out of the gates, with a solid inside out attack on offense and a lot of pressure on defense. The Rebels did not allow a point until the 14:45 mark of the half and had pushed their offensive total to 48. The two teams would play back and forth basketball until around the 10 minute mark when the Rebels earned a 20 point advantage after an Aidan Swenson 8 foot jump shot off the glass. The score stood at 58-38 with 10:23 remaining.
Immediately after the bucket, the MCC defense turned into offense as Bryce Hoekman got an and one bucket in transition off a Flying Dutchmen turnover. Hoekman would follow it up with a second transition and one on the very next possession! With 9:55 to go, MCC had 63 to Edgerton’s 38. Hoekman scored again, giving the Rebels their biggest lead of the night at 65 to 38 before Edgerton could get a bucket.
Aidan Dierks earned a trip to the foul line two possessions later and MCC was up 69-40 with 8:43 to go. The Dutchmen kept battling, as their scrappy play would turn the Rebels over and lead to offensive rebounds and second chance buckets. But it wouldn’t be enough and MCC would prevail with an 88-67 victory.
MCC leading scorers: Bryce Hoekman, 23, Ross Engelkes, 15, Aidan Swenson, 12, Aidan Dierks, 10, Hudson Schryvers, 9 Leading Rebounders: Bryce Hoekman with 10 and Carter Lewis with 7 Leading Assists: Aidan Dierks with 6, Hoekman with 5 and Engelkes with 4 Leading Steals: Ross Engelkes with 5
