BASKETBALL: MC men take on OC tonight
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.
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."
Follow Oscar on Twitter: @OLeRoy_MRT
2021-22 WJCAC men's basketball standings
Conference Overall
W/ L W/L
Odessa College 4/0 13/5
South Plains College 3/1 9/7
New Mexico Military 3/2 11/7
Midland College 3/2 10/8
Howard College 2/2 10/6
New Mexico JC 2/2 10/8
Frank Phillips 1/3 10/7
Western Texas 1/4 11/8
Clarendon College 1/4 6/12
Monday's scores
Midland College 80, Western Texas College 72; South Plains College 80, New Mexico JC 71; Frank Phillips College 108, Clarendon College 82; Odessa College 94, New Mexico Military Institute 81; Howard College was open
Thursday's games
Midland College at Odessa College; Frank Phillips College at Howard College; South Plains College at Clarendon College; New Mexico Military Institute at New Mexico JC; Western Texas College is open
CLICK HERE for 2021-22 Season Schedule
CLICK HERE for Live-Streaming of Games
