MAC Cardinals drop opener to Bevill State's comeback rally

By DONN ADAMSON
Daily Journal Sports Editor

POPLAR BLUFF — The Mineral Area Cardinals opened their season in the JUCO Tournament of Champions held at Three Rivers Community College on Friday, and the Cardinals fell to the Bevill State Bears of Alabama in the first game, 88-83.

The two teams were nearly even in experience and past year records. Both teams lost a great number of players from last year’s squads. MAC finished with a 27-10 record and Bevill was 24-7.

Mineral Area jumped to the early lead  with hot shooting hands as Bevill was cold from the floor, putting up clunkers and missing even lay-ups.

Bevill hung close due to their rebounding on both ends of the floor. The Bears pulled down 11 of their 16 offensive rebounds in the first half.

MAC did not miss a shot on their first four tries and built a quick 9-2 lead with the Bears connecting on only one of their first six shots. The Cardinals pushed out to a double digit 17-7 lead at 13:04 and the lead stayed at 10 until 6:30 left in the half.

Gerald Fulton found his range beyond the arc to hit two threes for the Cardinals with Marcus Scott and Jerwin Callaway also dialing long distance for a three.

Bevill made a 7-2 run at 6:30 as they began to challenge the Cardinals shots more aggressively and their crashing of the offensive boards to give them putbacks along with the Cardinals shooting beginning to chill helped the Bears cut into MAC’s lead.

Coach Corey Tate called time to get the Cardinals refocused, but Bevill closed to within two with 1:25 left. Sean Scott had the ball stolen by a Bears player, but stole it right back to put up a shot at the buzzer for a 44-40 score.

After the half-time break, the Bears scored the first two baskets to tie the game for the first time. Mineral Area would keep the lead as they answered basket for basket until the Bears once again tied the game at 50-50. Again the Cardinals stepped out to the lead at 56-50. Eric McCrary scored all seven of his points in the first part of the second half to help the Cardinals stay in charge.

Bevill would not be denied of their chance at the opening win. The Bears fought back to tie the game at 71-71 on a three-pointer by DeAngelo Duncombe, despite their center Mike Collins having to take a seat with four fouls. The Bears would take their first lead 76-75 with only 1:32 left in the game.

Duncombe missed two free throws to give MAC a chance to take back the lead, but Terence Nixon grabbed the offensive board and made the putback.

Kyle Hubbard hit a three with 18 seconds left to cut the lead to two, but the Bears were able to get the ball into the hands of Justin Cummings who was 9-10 from the line in the second half to help him be the game’s high scorer with 17 points.

MAC finished shooting 32-61 from the court for 52 percent, 11-17 from the line, and 20 defensive rebounds with only four offensive boards.

Bevill shot 49 percent from the floor (29-59), was 20-30 at the line, and had 18 defensive rebounds and 16 offensive rebounds.

Mineral Area  44 39 - 83.

Bevill State  40 48 - 88

Scoring:

Mineral Area - Hubbard 14, Callaway 12, Fulton 10, M. Scott 8, Wellington 7, McCrary 7, Felton 5, Young 4, Lawrence 4, Howard 4, Hall 4, S. Scott 2, Pickens 2.

Bevill State - Nixon 20, Cummings 17, Collins 16, Lenard 10, Duncombe 8, Palmer 7, Wright 5, Fields 3, Reid 2