Men’s Basketball: Northeast Tournament Recap

The Central Community College men's basketball team took part in the Northeast Tournament in Norfolk over the weekend. The Raiders split two games, giving them a 3-1 record. A recap of both games is below. CCC is back in action on Monday night with a road venture at Cloud County Community College. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

Game 1 vs. Iowa Central Community College

The Raiders held off the Tritons, 90-85, in the opening round of the Northeast Tournament.

Tre Mikkelson set the tone early with multiple three-point buckets in the first half. CCC led at halftime, 46-38. The Raiders kept the momentum going in the second half and was able to keep the determined Tritons at bay for the five-point victory.

Mikkelson was the game's top scorer with 25 points, which included five three-pointers. Roman Behrens added 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Tre'vion Crawford posted 18 points. Nathan Frost logged a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. 

While the offense was clicking, CCC head coach John Ritzdorf was equally impressed with his team's defensive effort.

"I thought as a team we did a tremendous job on the glass and didn't give up a single offensive rebound in the first half," said Ritzdorf. "I was also pleased with how we handled Iowa Central going on a couple of runs. We could have gotten down about the leads we gave up, but we kept battling and made enough plays to have a cushion at the end of the game."

Game 2 vs. Iowa Lakes Community College

The Raiders logged their first loss of the season, as the Lakers were victorious, 92-78.

Iowa Lakes clamped down defense as evidenced by a 45-27 advantage in rebounding. The Lakers also shot 51 percent from the floor compared to CCC's 40 percent in field goal shooting.

Four CCC players finished in double figures, led by Mikkelson's 20 points. Crawford added 18 points, while Behrens and Emarr Vinson scored 12 and 11 points, respectively.

"Iowa Lakes is a really talented, athletic team," said Ritzdorf. "I'm pleased with how we competed for most of the game. In the end, they made too many plays and got too many offensive rebounds for us to hold on."