MACC GREYHOUNDS SPLIT GAMES IN ORSCHELN CLASSIC

Lose to Link Year, defeat #13 ranked Butler Co.

The Moberly Area Community College Men's Basketball opened their season by splitting their two games in the Orscheln's Industries Classic this past weekend. The Greyhounds were defeated by Link Year Prep on Friday by the score of 104-100 in 2 overtimes but came back to defeat #13 pre-season ranked Butler Co. CC(KS.) 73-65 in the classic finale Saturday evening. Against Link Year, it was closely contested contest throughout as the two teams battled throughout the double overtime contest. Xavier Sykes hit a floater at the buzzer to send the game to second overtime stanza but the Hounds could not hold onto a lead and eventually suffered the loss. Sykes lead Moberly with a career high 24 points, 6'2" sophomore transfer guard Nelson Reynolds added 18 points(6-12 from 3 pt. range), 6'3" Sophomore wing Tekao Carpenter scored 17 points and 6'5" sophomore wing Akili Evans contributed 15 points and 9 rebounds. Freshman forward Tareeq Anderson added a game high 15 points and 9 rebounds.

Against Jayhawk Conference pre-season #1 Butler Co. on Saturday evening, Moberly jumped to a 44-32 halftime lead and held off their opponents to claim a 73-65 victory. Tekao Carpenter had a tremendous evening for MACC with a game high 29 points with 10-15 field goal shooting while Evans and 6'6" wing Isaiah Robinson scored 11 points each(9 rebounds).

"Very tough loss against a really talented Link Year squad," said Coach Patrick Smith, "We had our chances to win the game and to be very blunt, didn't play well enough to win, especially on the defensive end. However, I was so proud of how our guys came back vs. an outstanding Butler Co. squad and the toughness they showed in playing so much better the second game. We made a couple of adjustments in our game plan but it was really our players and their mindset they brought into the Butler game. As always, just so appreciative of the Classic Sponsorship by Orscheln Industries and all the support they provide our Athletic Program."

Moberly now hits the road as they travel to Ottumwa, Iowa this weekend (Nov.10-11) for the Iowa Missouri Challenge and will play #12 ranked Southeastern Iowa CC on Friday and #14 ranked Indian Hills on Saturday.