MCC Men pick up conference road win at Beatrice

BEATRICE – The McCook Community College men picked up 78-76 win Tuesday when Southeast Community College missed a last-second shot. MCC won 78-76.

"I thought we played really hard tonight," said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. "Our offense traveled with us again and the guys executed."

MCC held a 45-38 advantage at halftime.

"Overall I am really proud with how we handled their runs, especially in the second half," Brandl said.

Julian Lual (Calgary, Alberta) led MCC with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Ezichi Kalu (Lagos, Nigeria) scored 17 points and had eight rebounds.

The backcourt of Damien Perry (Wareham, Mass.) and DaMiene Boles Jr. (Dayton, Ohio) scored 14 and 10 points respectively. Perry had six assists.

Beni Fungula (Stockholm, Sweden) scored 10 points and D'Andre Dennis (Charlotte, N.C.) nabbed seven rebounds.

"Defensively I thought we were really tough again and did a good job of protecting the paint," Brandl said.

MCC shot 44.4 percent from the field, made nine of 25 3-pointers (36 percent) and was five of seven from the line.

Southeast shot 40.3 percent from the field, made 10 of 24 3-pointers (41.7 percent) and made eight of 11 free throws.

MCC had 45 rebounds, 18 assists and 15 turnovers.

"The only issue I had tonight was with our turnovers," Brandl said. "We have to better with the basketball and get shots, especially if our offense is going to continue to play this way."

The Storm had 36 rebounds, 15 assists and 12 turnovers.

MCC improves to 7-18 and 2-2 in Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference action and plays Feb. 15 at North Platte. On Friday MCC is back into the Region IX schedule with a road game at Lamar Community College.

Southeast goes to 10-13 and 1-3 in NCCAC.