BASKETBALL: MC men take on OC tonight

By Oscar LeRoy
Midland Reporter-Telegram

ODESSA, TEXAS - The MC men's team has to be feeling better about itself after snapping a five-game losing streak with an 80-72 victory over Western Texas College on Monday.

The Chaps scored the most points since an 82-63 victory over Dallas College-North Lake on Nov. 27 and were 18 of 22 at the free-throw line.

This was a much-needed win for a team that has been dealing with injuries and illness since the end of the holiday break.

"This has been a tough stretch for them," MC coach Pat Rafferty said. "This is our third game in five days and that's tough for any team, but it's tough for a team that had not felt good. I'm proud of them. They could have cashed it in, but because they are kids with good character, they are not going to do that."

Sophomore Steven Richardson led the Chaps with a game-high 24 points, Oliver Hayward and Trent Johnson each had 14 and Christian Villegas added 13.

MC knows it will need a better effort against the talented Wranglers, who have won five straight  and are coming off a 94-81 victory at New Mexico Military Institute on Monday.

Sophomore guard Daniss Jenkins leads a well-balanced team with 15.8 points per game.

Rafferty said his team must play smart and with great effort to overcome some of their weaknesses.

"We've got to continue to understand who we are and how we have to play," said Rafferty about the key to playing the Wranglers. "(Monday's win) hopefully is more of a confirmation of who we are. If we do those things, we've got a chance."