Strong shooting caps good opening weekend for MAC

By MATT KING \ Daily Journal Sports Writer

POPLAR BLUFF - The Mineral Area College men's basketball team displayed excellence in both ball security and free-throw shooting on Saturday night, completing a perfect opening weekend with a 91-77 victory over Bevill State of Jasper, Alabama at the Three Rivers Tip-off Classic.

Mineral Area (2-0) committed just 12 turnovers on the night and made 19-25 free throws overall, following a rough night at the line during a win over Kaskaskia on Friday.

John Fowler netted a team-high 23 points with a strong effort in the post, and Tony Webb buried four triples on his way to 22 points for the Cardinals, who connected 10 times from beyond the arc.

Bevill St. (1-1) dominated the boards for extra-chance points in the early going. Jared Allen converted a layup on the sixth shot of one possession, and Mondrae McCray finished a fast break to give the Bears a 9-8 edge.

The lead changed hands nine times in the opening 10 minutes before the Cardinals moved ahead 22-19 on three-pointers from Dontavis Jones and Barry Wellington.

Allen delivered an off-balanced, game-tying three for Bevill State with 5:40 left in the first half, but Mineral Area responded by scoring on three straight transitions. A nifty assist from Josh Fogler to Eric Stuckey helped the Cardinals carry a 40-34 lead into the break.

Rickey Claitt set up Fowler for an aggressive dunk on the initial Mineral Area possession of the second half, and the margin reached 52-43 when Webb connected deep from the left wing.

The Bears turned up their defensive intensity to close within two points with less than 11 minutes remaining, but Fowler answered with a pivotal offensive putback. Stuckey finished a pick-and-roll play with a dunk moments later to restore a seven-point advantage.

Allen highlighted his impressive 25-point evening to lead all players with a driving scoop shot and a long three on consecutive trips down the floor, cutting the deficit to 72-67 with 6:25 left, but Bevill State could not draw closer.

Chad Henderson scored on an explosive move to the basket, and Fowler converted a quick inbounds pass into a conventional three-point play before Webb put the game out of reach with another dagger from long range.

Henderson, who ended the night with 18 points, was named to the all-tournament team along with Stuckey and Webb. Wellington also reached double figures for MAC with 10 points.

The Cardinals will welcome Wabash Valley to the Bob Sechrest Fieldhouse on Wednesday night with a 23-game home winning streak on the line. Both teams are ranked in the NJCAA preseason poll.

Bevill State 34 43 - 77

Mineral Area 40 51 - 91

SCORING:

Bevill State - Allen 25, Miles 11, Rodgers 9, Lee 9, Jackson 7, Long 4, Pritchett 3, Westbrook 3, Byers 2, Toles 2, McCray 2.

3-point FG - Allen 3, Pritchett, Westbrook.

Mineral Area - Fowler 23, Webb 22, Henderson 18, Wellington 10, Stuckey 8, Claitt 7, Jones 3.

3-point FG - Webb 4, Henderson 2, Wellington 2, Claitt, Jones.