Men’s Basketball: Iowa Lakes CC Classic Recap

The Central Community College men's basketball team went 2-0 at the Iowa Lakes Community College Classic in Estherville, Iowa, on Saturday and Sunday. A recap of each contest is below. The 8-3 Raiders return to action on Friday and Saturday at the SCC Holiday Classic in Beatrice. On Friday at 4 p.m., CCC battles Highland (Kan.) Community College. At 2 p.m. on Saturday, the Raiders meet the Red Devils of Allen County (Kan.) Community College.

Game 1: CCC 78  North Iowa Area Community College 66

The Raiders held a 40-29 lead over the Trojans at halftime and went on to post a 12-point win.

"We were able to do a great job as a team with our shot selection against an NIACC team that pressed almost the entire game," said CCC head coach John Ritzdorf. "

Game 2: CCC 71  Iowa Lakes Community College 70 OT

It was a tale of two halves as the Raiders won the opening half with a 34-22 lead at halftime. The Lakers took the second half by outscoring CCC, 40-28. Central's Josh Baker nailed a three-point bucket with 29 seconds remaining and neither team was able to score, leaving the game tied at 62 apiece at the end of regulation. The Raiders and Lakers remained close in the extra session and with 17 seconds remaining, Jayden Byabato made one of two free throws to put CCC up 71-68. In the final seconds, Iowa Lakes missed a two-point and a three-point shot before Jeremiah Burke scored a bucket at the buzzer, allowing CCC to escape with the one-point victory.

Trey Deveaux led CCC in scoring with 22 points while Derek Merwick scored a dozen points and hauled in 10 rebounds. Baker totaled 11 points while Blake Daberkow finished with 10 points.

"I was proud of our team with how they responded after giving up a big lead," said Ritzdorf. "Josh hit a huge three to force overtime and Trey hit big-time shots to get us the win."