Let the Madness Begin! Cougars take down top seed of Region XX DII tourney!

Box Score: http://www.fccathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/boxscores/20200306_4bm8.xml?view=boxscore

COLUMBIA, Maryland – And that's why they call it March Madness! Let the Madness begin! The first game of the Region XX DII men's basketball tourney featured the #8 seed Frederick Community College Cougars versus the top seed Community College of Beaver County. The Titans are currently ranked #11 in the latest NJCAA DII poll. During the regular season, the Titans defeated the Cougars, 98-52. It was a different game today. Fans got their money's worth in today's matchup.  The Cougars pulled off a huge upset. winning 79-78. FCC improves to 13-16 on the year while the Titans finish the season at 25-4.

1^st Half
FCC 36
CC Beaver County 32

From the tip, the Cougars came out on fire from the field. They built a 14-7 lead thanks to five quick points from Domantas Sakickas. However, the Beavers would go on 13-0 run to take a 20-14 lead at the 10:47 mark. FCC would close out the half, taking a 36-32 lead into the locker room. Sakickas had the hot hand for FCC, scoring 13 points on 6-of-8 field goals in the first 20 minutes of action. Teammate Juwan Burnett chipped in with nine points and six rebounds.

CC Beaver County controlled the boards in the first half, outrebounding FCC, 28-18. The Cougars would apply defensive pressure, forcing the Beavers into 14 miscues.

2^nd Half
FCC 79
CC Beaver County 78
Final

Let's fast-forward to the final 25 seconds of the game. FCC was up 75-71 with the ball. A critical turnover by Sakickas resulted in a three-point play for the Titans, making it just a one point lead. FCC inbounded the ball to Devon Knaub. He was fouled immediately and calmly knocked down the all-important free throws, now77-74. Beaver would answer with a quick bucket. FCC's CJ Williams was fouled with just 12 seconds left is fouled with 12 seconds left. The lefty would knock down both free throws to make it a three point game. Beaver would get a tip-in with one second left but it was too late as the Cougars earned the 79-78 win.

Juwan Burnett (7-of-21) battled all afternoon. He ended the contest with a team-high 25 points and 11 rebounds. Domantas Sakickas was solid in the win. The big man went for 17 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Christian Knox and CJ Williams poured in 13 and 10 points respectively. Knox dished out a team-high six assists. Also worth mentioning, Devon Knaub played a heck of a game. In 15 minutes of action, he pumped in nine points. He hit a big three-ball late in the game and was as cool as the other side of the pillow knocking down the important free throws late in the game. 

Quotes

"The team played hard, physical, and together. They knew that we are playing for the same opportunity to be one game closer to a national tournament bid." FCC Head Coach, Chris Lewis

"We came into the game feeling great. My team and I buckled down and got prepared for a dogfight. We prepared all week and stayed together even when the game was going downhill, we never held our heads and that got us the win." Juwan Burnett

Up Next

FCC will return to the court on 3/7 vs. #4 seed CCBC Dundalk. Tipoff at Howard CC is slated for 5:30 PM.