Iowa Falls, IA—The Marshalltown Community College men's basketball team pulled away from Ellsworth Community College in the second half for a 73-64 win on the road Monday night. The Tigers improve to 13-5 on the year.
After trailing by as many as nine in the first half, the Tigers fought back to take a lead late in the second half and never looked back. Five players scored in double-figures for MCC, led by Floyd Preito's (Philadelphia, PA/Constitution) 15. Mohamed Thiam (Dekar, Senegal/Canarias) added 13 points and five rebounds. BJ Millard (Dunwoody, Georgia/Dunwoody) chipped in 12 while Jamir Coleman (San Antonio, TX/Pro Vision) and Reggie Gradwell (Marshalltown, IA/West Marshall) each scored 10.
A barrage of fouls plagued the Tigers early on Monday night as MCC was forced to go deep into its bench. Gradwell came off the bench and buried back-to-back three-point shots from the same corner spot to pull MCC within one, 8-7. The Panthers used an 8-0 run to pull ahead 30-21, but Preito slowed the spurt with consecutive mid-range jump shots. MCC got as close as three points in the closing minutes of the half, but trailed at the break 38-31.
Thiam converted a three-point play while Preito and Gradwell each connected on three-point shots to cut the deficit to two, 42-40 in the opening minutes of the second quarter. An offensive rebound led to a bucket down low for Millard and the Tigers jumped on top 46-44.
MCC extended its advantage to seven, 57-50, but the Panthers knocked down a pair of threes and eventually took the lead, 59-58. Coleman took control on the next two possessions with a pair of baskets to regain the lead. A three-point play down the stretch from Coleman sealed the victory as MCC swept the two-game season series from the Panthers.
Despite a pair of injuries that sidelined primary starters Souf Mensah (Nantes, France/Canarias) and Brandon Simmons (Harlem, NY/Teaneck) for the entire night, the Tigers were able to rely on a strong bench presence as 11 different Tigers logged significant minutes in the win.
MCC is back in action on Wednesday night as the Tigers travel to Kirkwood Community College for a 7:00 PM matchup.
