Late run leads NJC over MCC men 87-71

STERLING, Colo. – Northeastern Junior College closed out the final 4:34 of the game Friday on a 20-7 run to down the McCook Community College men 87-81.

In a game that featured 11 ties and 12 lead changes, MCC took its largest lead of the game at 74-67 with 5:48 left in the game before the Plainsmen responded and took the lead for good with 2:14 left in the game.

The Indians shot 50.9 percent from the field, made six of 20 shots from the arc and went 19 of 25 from the free-throw line (76.0 percent). MCC had just four turnovers for the game.

NJC shot 52.5 percent from the field, made three of 14 3-pointers (21.4 percent) and shot 22-for-27 from the free-throw line (81.5 percent). The Plainsmen held a 35-26 rebound edge.

MCC led at the half 41-38.

Four MCC players scored in double-figures led by a 20-point night by sophomore Dave Olaniyi (Newark, N.J.).

Sophomore Norris Bourne Jr. (Beaumont, Texas) scored 15 off the bench. Freshman Da'Shawn Hall-Johnson (Bridgeport, Conn.) scored 12 off the bench.

Sophomore Meek Ater (Yirol, South Sudan) scored 12 points and snagged five rebounds. Sophomore Madison Peaster (Little Rock, Ark.) led MCC with six rebounds to go along with eight points.

The Plainsmen improve to 8-14 overall and 3-2 in the Region IX South standings.

MCC goes to 10-12, and 1-4 in the region. The Indians will face the Plainsmen in McCook on Feb. 18. That’s the next home game for MCC.

On Tuesday the Indians travel to North Platte to take on the Knights and former MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. The Knights are 3-2 in the region standings and 13-8 overall. North Platte lost Friday at home to Western Nebraska 101-97.

Up-to-date information about MCC basketball including livestream links, schedule, statistics, rosters, photos and more can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com