MACC GREYHOUNDS SPLIT GAMES IN MACC THANKSGIVING
#17 Greyhounds defeat Highlands, lose to #4 Vincennes
The Moberly Area Community College Men's Basketball Team split games in their MACC Thanksgiving Classic held on November 24-25. The Greyhounds defeated Highland CC(IL) on Friday by the score of 76-64 but was suffered a defeat to #4 nationally ranked Vincennes on Saturday by the score of 67-76. It was a tale of two halves against Highland as the Hounds jumped out to a 43-18 halftime lead only to see the opponents come back to take a 52-51 lead. However, Moberly steadied themselves and dominated the last five minutes to get the win. Tekao Carpenter lead Moberly in scoring with 17 points(4-6 from three point range), Akili Evans had 14 points(12 second half points) and 11 rebounds while Xavier Sykes 10 points with fellow PG Jaleen Goodman contributing 8 assists.
On Saturday against the highly rated Trailblazers from Vincennes, Moberly got off to a slow start and trailed 9-23 with 8 minutes remaining in the first half. After climbing within 22-30 at the half, Moberly spurted to claim a 61-57 lead with four minutes remaining. Clinging to a 70-67 lead with one minute remaining, the visitors were able to make plays down the stretch to secure the win. Carpenter lead Moberly with 16 points while Freddie Cooper and Goodman added 10 points each. The rebounding loomed large in the victory as VU held a 44-27 rebounding advantage with 18 offensive boards.
"Interesting but very productive weekend," said Coach Patrick Smith, "Against Highlands, we played an outstanding first half only to really lose our way the second half. However, I'm very proud of the way we came out to start the game and the toughness we displayed at the end to finish the game. Vincennes has numerous players back from a National Tournament team last season and I thought that experience really showed at the start and the finish. I really applaud our players effort in coming from 14 points down to take a four point lead with four minutes remaining; from that point on, they made plays and we didn't . This is a great game to learn from and that's how we need to use it, a measuring stick of where we are at and seeking that next level we must reach. The rebounding single handed got us beat and it's something we must address and never let happen again. Our schedule has been one of the toughest in the country so far this season and we must use our experiences, good and bad, to seek improvement and get where we want to/need to be.
Moberly currently stands 6-3 on the season and is rated #17 in the latest NJCAA poll. The Greyhounds return to action this Sunday, December 3 against defending national champs John A. Logan In the St. Louis CC Shootout(Forest Park) at 5 pm.