Men Defeat The Chargers On Home Court
Saturday was not only the annual “Hunger Games” at Lake Michigan College, it was a day to remember for the Men’s Basketball team.
After defeating the Red Hawks 104-77 earlier this year, Ancilla College came into Benton Harbor sitting atop the MCCAA Western Conference with a 7-2 record.
By the 13:30 mark in the first half, the Chargers surged to a 15-3 lead, much like the game before. However, the game didn't quite go the same exact way. The Red Hawks relied on their stifling defense and transition offense to claw their way back into the game. Before the end of the half, the Red Hawks had out-scored Ancilla 33-22 and went into half-time down just one point by a score of 37-36. By this point, morale and energy was high in the Red Hawk locker room.
The Red Hawks started the half hot, led by a made turn-around jump-shot by Abdoulaye Ba just barely before the shot clock expired. From there, Brian Hunter Jr. got hot and could not be contained. After only playing 10 minutes and scoring 9 points in the first half due to foul trouble, he erupted for 21 points in the second half which was just what the Red Hawks needed to complete their comeback against the Chargers.
Brian Hunter Jr. finished with a game-high 30 points, two rebounds and three assists. Dewey Shannon also had a great game, finishing with 15 points, 16 rebounds and two steals. Derrick Campbell was threading-the-needle all afternoon and setting his teammates up perfectly with 12 assists to go along with his 6 points, three rebounds and two steals. Micai Johnson hit two big-time three-point shots in the last few minutes of the game and filled the stat sheet with nine points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals. Abdoulaye Ba continued to play well on the defensive end and added six points and five rebounds to the Red Hawks victory. Last, but certainly not least, Karl Butler provided great minutes off the bench, scoring six points in less than 90 seconds, including a thunderous fast-break dunk to help the Red Hawks ignite their comeback.
"It felt great to have 30 points. Honestly, it took me by shock when I found out" Brian Hunter Jr. said of his historic performance. "This win is really what we needed. It gave us a boost of confidence and energy. We know we can play with anybody, and that win proved it even more".
The Red Hawks have a busy week ahead, as Lansing Community College comes to Benton Harbor Monday night, followed up by a road game at Mid-Michigan College on Wednesday and another road game match-up against Glen Oaks Community College on Saturday.