It was a tale of two halves when the Tigers Men's Basketball team travelled to Fort Dodge, IA to take on the Iowa Central Community College Tritons on Tuesday, November 6.
The Tigers got off to a blistering start, racing out to an 11-2 lead that forced an Iowa Central timeout after Goran Vidovic hit his second three-point shot of the contest. The Tigers continued to control the game throughout the majority of the first half. The largest margin the Tigers managed to open up was a ten point advantage at 21-11. From that point on, the Tritons settled in and chipped away at the lead. At the half, the Tigers lead had been shrunk to just four as they led 40-36.
The second half saw the offenses for each unit put up big numbers. This time it was the Tritons who opened up a lead. The largest deficit the Tigers faced was nine after a three-point field goal by Aspen La Pointe extended the ICCC lead to 76-67 to force a timeout. From that point on, the two teams would remain close as both offenses came up with big plays. A pair of free throws by Nicholas Fleming brought the Tigers to within three at 89-92. A few moments later, Fleming again made it a three point game after hitting a three-point shot to make it 92-95. Needing a turnover or missed free throws, the Tigers were forced to foul Kemryn Jenkins who converted one of two free throws to ice the game 96-92 for the Tritons.
The Tiger attack was well balanced with five players reaching double digit point totals led by 25 by Goran Vidovic. Vidovic also led the team in assists with six while Bassirou Ndiaye was the lone Tiger with double digit rebounds as he recorded ten. The Tritons were led offensively by Dallas Bailey who poured in 28 points on an efficient 11-17 shooting.
The Tigers enter the Dale Howard Classic at 2-1. The Dale Howard Classic is hosted by Ellsworth Community College November 9 – November 10. At the Classic, the Tigers will square off with ICCAC foes North Iowa Area Community College and the hosting Panthers.