Men's basketball opens with split against nationally-ranked opponents
| 2nd - 00:09 | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hill College | 33 | 48 | 81 |
|
Mesa Community College | 32 | 35 | 67 |
Hill College
| Game Statistics | Hill College | Mesa Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (24-62) | (19-58) |
| Field Goal % | 38.7% | 32.8% |
| Rebounds | 37 | 42 |
| Assists | 8 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 15 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 17 | 7 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 11 | 7 |
| Pts in the Paint | 0 | 0 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 0 | 0 |
| Bench Pts | 10 | 44 |
LEVELLAND, Texas - Facing a pair of nationally-ranked opponents, both of which played in the NJCAA Division I final four last year, the Mesa men's basketball team came away with a split at the Texan Classic at South Plains Friday and Saturday.
The T-Birds first knocked off fourth-ranked, and host, South Plains 88-73, before falling to eighth-ranked Hill Saturday, 81-67.
In the opener against the Texans who played in last year's national championship game, MCC placed six in double figures.
Obi Megwa (Fr., Phoenix, AZ/Central H.S.) began his Mesa career in a big way with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Nate Jimerson (So., Bullhead City, AZ/Mohave H.S.) and Isaiah Easaw (Fr., Gilbert, AZ/Campo Verde H.S.) each scored 11 and Jordan Pratt (So, Mesa, AZ/Red Mountain H.S.), Mitch Burnett (So., Phoenix, AZ/Central H.S.) and Trevor Johnson (Fr., Flagstaff, AZ/Flagstaff H.S.) each had ten.
The T-Birds shot a fine .508 from the floor in their first game of the season. and out-rebounded the Texans, 36-35.
Against Hill, which took third place in last year's national tournament, the T-Birds had a dreadful start to the second half and eventually lost to the Rebels who are already 7-0 on the season.
Trailing by just one at halftime, 33-32, MCC saw Hill score the first 16 points of the half to grab a 49-32 advantage.
Sheehy paced the T-Birds with 17 points and ten rebounds.
MCC has its home opener, and ACCAC debut, Wednesday against Cochise at 7:30 p.m. and Theo Heap Gym.