Cardinals put history on hold with second-half explosion

By MATT KING\Daily Journal Sports Writer

PARK HILLS - Gene Bess will have to wait at least a few more days to earn his 1,000th career win.

The legendary Three Rivers men's basketball coach saw his date with an unprecedented milestone postponed on Saturday night, as the Mineral Area College Cardinals performed a shooting clinic in the second half to defeat the rival Raiders, 91-77 before an electrified, standing-room-only crowd at the Bob Sechrest, Sr. Fieldhouse.

Mineral Area (23-4) buried a season-high 13 three-pointers to increase its current win streak to 12 games. The Cardinals have won 21 consecutive games at home, including a perfect 16-0 this season.

On a night when many fans anticipated the possibility of witnessing college basketball history, the Cardinals were determined to make some of their own.

With the No. 1 seed and home-court advantage already clinched for the upcoming Region XVI Tournament, Mineral Area inched closer to completing a perfect regular season in region play. A victory at State Fair next Saturday will accomplish that elusive feat.

The Cardinals appeared to feel the pressure of the intense Raider defense and the importance of the contest in the early going with several turnovers, and a rocky 1-8 start from the free-throw line.

Three Rivers (21-7) received a huge lift from freshman Keith Burton, who buried five long triples on his way to 19 points in the first half. The Cardinals adjusted well to hold Burton to just one basket in the second half.

The Cardinals trailed 24-17 before rallying late in the opening stanza. DeAlan Hicks scored on a strong drive the basket, and Chad Henderson capped a 2-on-1 fast break on a steal and assist from Tremaine Wilkerson.

Despite committing 14 turnovers in the first half, MAC tied the game at 31-31 when WIllie Hassell drained his fourth three-pointer from the right corner. Hassell and Burton each connected six times overall from beyond the arc for their respective teams.

Abayomi Ajasin knocked down a tough leaning jumper to help Three Rivers regain a 36-33 lead at the break, but the Cardinals would use their relentless and active defense to set the tone from there.

Henderson opened the second half with a transition three-point play, then put Mineral Area back in front with a quick steal and layup. Darryl Butterfield added a baseline jumper, then cashed in a turnover out of a wild scramble to spark an eventual pull-away.

Each time the Raiders made a big play to regain some momentum, the Cardinals answered at the other end. An emphatic follow slam by Durrell Nevels was counted by a transition basket by Hicks. Dominitrix Johnson then nailed an open triple, which was promptly matched by Henderson.

The Cardinals stretched the lead even more when Rickey Claitt drilled back-to-back triples off of turnovers, and enjoyed their largest lead of the night at 80-61 when Hassell continued the long-range assault from the left wing.

Three Rivers pulled to within 85-72 on two free throws from Jermaine Dailey with 3:24 left, but Henderson sealed the win with another three-pointer.

Henderson ended the night as the leading scorer for MAC with 22 points, while Claitt added 15. Hassell left the game momentarily after taking a knee to the forehead while diving for a loose basketball, but returned to net 20 points.

Burton matched the game-high point total with 22 for the Raiders. Johnson chipped in 13 points with three triples, and Dailey added 11. Three Rivers was hindered by 23 turnovers, but forced 24 against the Cardinals.

The Raiders, who ended regular-season region play with a 4-4 record, will be forced to play their first region tournament contest on the road if West Plains can win their finale against Moberly next weekend.

Coach Bess will likely cross the millennium mark in total victories on Wednesday, when Three Rivers travels to Forest Park.

Three Rivers 36 41 - 77

Mineral Area 33 58 - 91

SCORING:

Three Rivers - Burton 22, Johnson 13, Dailey 11, Ajasin 8, Givens 8, Huskisson 7, Nevels 6, Smith 2.

Mineral Area - Henderson 22, Hassell 20, Claitt 15, Wilkerson 8, Hicks 8, Butterfield 7, Webb 5, Stuckey 5, Mata 1.

3-point FG - Hassell 6, Burton 6, Henderson 3, Johnson 3, Claitt 2, Webb, Wilkerson, Huskisson.