Burlington, IA—The Marshalltown Community College Men's Basketball team held a four point lead at halftime, but Southeastern Community College managed to make a comeback and took down the Tigers 74-70 at the Loren Walker Arena on Saturday night in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) play.
Amir Maddred (Camden, NJ/Camden) led the Tigers with 14 points while Tyler Miller (Louisville, KY/22ft Academy) added 12 points and Christal Malalu (Eindhoven, Netherlands/Koning Willem I) contributed 11 points. Vincent Lasley (Tama, IA/South Tama) led MCC with eight rebounds.
The Tigers (14-10/1-3) trailed throughout the early portions of the first half until Guilherme Verardo (Sao Paulo/Brazil/Esporte Clube Pinheiros) drained a three-point shot to put MCC up 21-19 late in the frame. The Tigers never trailed again as Verardo knocked down another three and Jamil Maddred (Camden, NJ/Camden) sunk two free throws with one second on the clock to give MCC its largest lead of the first half 32-28 just before halftime.
MCC was unable to maintain its momentum to open the second half as Southeastern (19-6/2-2) regained the lead on an 11-0 run. Reggie Gradwell (Marshalltown, IA/West Marshall) snapped the spree with a three-point shot to bring MCC within four, 39-35. The Blackhawks held on to a narrow lead down the stretch, but Lasley scored five straight points, including a three-pointer to pull the Tigers within four, 62-58.
The four-point deficit was as close as MCC would get as the Tigers forced a jump ball and regained possession in the closing seconds trailing 74-70, but failed to capitalize on the opportunity.
The Tigers connected on a season-best 78.3 percent (18-23) on their free throw attempts as Amir Maddred went 8-10 at the line and Miller shot 5-6.
MCC hosts Western Iowa Tech at 7:00 PM on Feb. 3 before heading back to ICCAC play on Feb. 6 against Indian Hills Community College as part of House of Compassion Night at the Student Activity Center.
