Sometimes, a team just has another team’s number. For the LCC men’s basketball team, the Bears of Mott Community College have been that other team.
The Stars’ struggles against the Bears continued as LCC lost to the defending Michigan Community College Athletic Association and National Champion Wednesday night, 87-69.
The loss marked three straight winless efforts against Mott including a loss in Gannon Gymnasium in the 2012 MCCAA Championship game last season. For LCC coach Mike Ingram, the feeling was all too familiar.
“(Mott) is just better than us right now,” Ingram said. “I thought we played well enough to win the game for about half of the game. You have to do that for the whole game in order to be effective down the stretch.”
LCC struggled late in the game shooting just under 40 percent from the floor and committing costly fouls, as Mott’s lead grew larger and larger.
Mott’s Fred Mattison led all scorers with 25 points, six rebounds and three steals for the Bears.
LCC was led by center Tyrin Wade and recently turned point guard Travion Babers. Both Wade and Babers had 17 points in the loss.
“This was an opportunity to see the best that is out there,” Wade said. “We are continuing to get better. We will remember this loss. We’ll be back.”
The Stars played much better in the first half of Tuesday’s game, playing solid defense and never allowing the Bears’ lead to grow larger than 10 points. Mott led 39-35 at halftime.
Freshman and Laingsburg graduate Luke Genther started his first career college game and scored four points. Mott’s Malik Albert was hot early scoring 15 of his 19 points of the first half. The Bears out-rebounded the Stars 33-27.
“Just like coach says we are always ready to play,” Wade said. “Sometimes you have to accept defeat. This is one of those times. We’ve got to stay hungry and stay humble. It should be alright.”
The Stars find themselves in the think of things in the MCCAA this week. LCC is scheduled to host Henry Ford and Glen Oaks CC this weekend.
Check www.lcc.edu/athletics for updates on how the Stars’ season is going during the semester break. Check www.lcc.edu/lookout for updates on the team once spring semester begins.
