Cold Shooting Proves Costly For Cougars In 77-65 Loss To Lakers

By: Aaron Meekins, FCC Men's Basketball Assistant Coach

FREDERICK, Md. - Wednesday night's game against Garrett Community College had large playoff implications for FCC. If the Cougars won, they guaranteed themselves a chance to defend their Region XX Championship from last year. A win would also help move the Cougars closer to a playoff berth in the MD JUCO tournament and a .500 overall record. In the first half, the Cougars and their physical defense was up to the challenge, holding #15 ranked Garrett to only 22 points in the first half, while scoring 23 themselves. However, in the second half the Cougars struggled mightily to score, and Garrett prevailed 77-65. 

The first five minutes of the game belonged to FCC. By the 15:00 mark the Cougars had executed defensively and offensively to build a 10-3 lead. A tough Garrett squad was able to tie the game at 13-13 with 9:47 to play with their own coordinated defensive effort. With only 3:00 to play in the first half, the Lakers had a 20-17 lead. Twice over the next two minutes sophomore Keith Claiborne slashed his way into the lane to connect on two floaters to put the Cougars back on top, 23-20. A basket in the final minute by the Lakers brought them to within one as the Cougars to a 23-22 lead into the intermission.

The start of the second half was brutal for the Cougars. As the Lakers offense started to pick up and connect on their outside shots, FCC went ice cold from the floor. The Lakers scored the first 11 points of the half while the Cougars failed to score until the 14:00 mark in the second half by way of a Keon Claiborne lane floater. The basket made the score 33-25 Garrett. The Lakers then scored the next nine points until the Cougars found their next points at 10:25 to play with the score now at 42-27 Garrett. The Lakers were able to build their lead up to 21 points with 6:56 to play, 53-32. The rest of the way the Cougars fought to get back in the game, and a three pointer from Anthony Isaac at 1:52 to play pulled the Cougars within 11 with a score of 66-55. The Lakers' execution was steady the rest of the way as they held on to win, 77-65. The Lakers shot 32-42 from the free throw line throughout the game. 

Anthony Isaac finished with another double-double for the Cougars with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Tyre Gathright contributed 13 points. Keith Claiborne finished with 10 points and six assists. 

The loss drops the Cougars to 7-11 overall, 5-6 in conference play. They also dropped to 3-4 in the region, making their February 28th game against Northern Virginia Community College a very important game. They return to action Friday night a Prince George's Community College for a 7:00 pm tip off.