Quick start helps Indians topple Trinidad State 84-73

Quick start helps Indians topple Trinidad State 84-73

For the second straight game, the McCook Community College men's basketball team came out with solid start to propel them to victory. On Friday the Indians toppled Trinidad State Junior College 84-73 in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center.

"I keep telling our guys it's not how you start, it's how you finish," said MCC Coach Kyle Drennan.

The coach sent videos to his players to prove what he believes of this team. The video is of the 2010-2011 University of Connecticut team that started the season ranked 58, made their way to No. 4, fell to ninth in the Big East, then had to win five games in five days just to get into the NCAA tournament. Then the Huskies won six games in a row to become national champions.

"And there's no reason why these guys can't get on a run and win region and win a national championship. We are talented enough to do it," Drennan said.

With a 1-7 record against teams in the Region IX South Division going into the game with the Trojans, the Indians have a lot to prove in a short amount of time, and wasted no time in taking an early lead, never trailing and leading by as many as 16 in the second half.

"I think the last two games we've see our guys come out and fight from the beginning and give ourselves a cushion so when they punch back we're still in the lead," Drennan said.

Freshman LeTre Darthard (Denton, Texas) led MCC with 23 points on a seven-for-10 shooting night including four of five from the 3-point line and five of six from the free throw-line. Sophomore Raheim Sullivan (Toronto, Ontario) scored 22 points including eight-of-10 from the line.

Sophomore Justin Costello (Omaha /Elkhorn South High School) scored 17 points and was six of eight from the line. Freshman Rahkiem Petterson (Midland, Texas) scored 13 points and led the Indians with eight rebounds.

"Big time players have to rise in big-time games and our guys have stepped up," Drennan said.

MCC shot 48.2 percent from the floor, made eight of 20 3-pointers (40 percent), sank 22 of 28 free-throws and out-rebounded the Trojans 31-29.

"We've rebounded much better recently, the ball is moving tremendously," Drennan said. We shot 20 free-throws too. We're doing the right things right now," Drennan said. "Now we just have to keep getting better at it."

Trinidad State shot 55.3 percent from the field, made 11 of 24 shots from the 3-point line (45.8 percent) and made10 of 13 free throws. The Trojans committed 25 turnovers to 11 for MCC.

MCC improves to 11-15 overall and will take on Otero Junior College (21-5, 5-3) at 4 p.m. Saturday. The Rattlers downed North Platte Friday 67-66.

For more information on MCC basketball and all MCC sports, visit the official site of MCC Athletics at https://mccindians.com/index.aspx?path=mbball

For more photos from tonight's game please visit the McCook Community College Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/MPCCMcCook/

If you can't make it to the next MCC home watch it live at: https://mccindians.com/sports/2016/11/10/tw.aspx?tab=tribewatch