Gatali's double-double leads the Tigers on the road over No. 16 NIACC

Mason City, IA—A season-high 21 points from sophomore Jamal Gatali (Toronto, ONT/Downsview) led the Marshalltown Community College men's basketball team to an 85-77 victory on the road over NJCAA Division II No. 16 ranked North Iowa Area Community College Wednesday night. The Tigers improve their record to 5-4 on the year.

Gatali was one of five Tigers to reach double figures against the Trojans (10-3), including 15 from sophomore Raheim Holloway (St. Louis, MO/Jennings). Holloway connected on three three-pointers, including two in a row late in the second half to propel MCC to victory. Gatali shot 9-16 from the floor and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the year while tying a season-high with four blocks and adding three steals.

As a team the Tigers shot 45.2 percent from the floor (16-33), but it was MCC's ability to hit the three in the second half that lifted the Tigers to their fifth straight win over NIACC. After shooting just 1-7 from beyond the arc in the first half, the Tigers found their stroke from deep in the final 20 minutes with six treys, including one from Gatali to open the half. MCC pounded the glass, outrebounding their opponent by a 48-29 margin, including a 17-9 advantage on the offensive boards.

NIACC opened the night with the game's first four points but the Tigers kept things close throughout the opening minutes. The Trojans continued to hold onto their lead with a 25-19 advantage with under nine to play. NIACC built its margin to 37-27 at the 3:47 mark, but the Tigers battled back. MCC closed out the first half on a 13-2 run to take a 40-39 lead into the locker room.

Gatali led the way in the first half with 11 points. The Tigers grabbed 10 first half offensive rebounds to create second chance opportunities in the half that contributed to the team's late run.

After a NIACC three to open the second half, Gatali responded with his own trey to put MCC back on top 43-42. Merdic Green (Levittown, PA/Harry S. Truman) converted a jumper and on the next possession drilled a three to answer another NIACC long range shot. The Trojans found success from beyond the arc in the opening minutes to regain a lead, but a dunk from Gatali tied the game at 50.

Holloway hit his first three of the night to put MCC up 57-52 and found Troidell Carter (Lilburn, GA/Meadowcreek) and Gatali on the next two plays to spark the offense as the Tigers led 61-53. Gatali gave MCC its largest lead of the night with a three-point play, putting the Tigers ahead 64-53. Kenny Strong (Youngstown, OH/Chaney) knocked down another three for MCC, but the Trojans continued to fight, scoring the game's next nine points.

Holloway halted the Trojan run with his two threes and a put-back jumper to regain a double-digit lead, 77-66. The Trojans brought the game back to within six but the Tigers sank five free throws in the final 1:30 to seal the win.

Carter finished the game with 12 points and nine rebounds while Tyrese Hoxter (Boston, MA/Charlestown) poured in 13 for his fifth straight double-digit performance. Hoxter also added a career-high seven assists on the night. Green chipped in 12 points for the Tigers.

MCC went 12-14 from the free throw line on the night and are now 66-80 (82.5 percent) in their last three contests. MCC leads the Division I Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) with a 75.4 mark from the charity stripe on the year.

The Tigers continue its long stretch of road games with a trip to Freemont, IL this weekend to take part in the Highland Community College Tournament. MCC will take on Augustana College at 3:00 PM on Saturday and will play the winner/loser of the tournament's other game on Sunday. 

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