MBB: 'Riders hold off Livingston charge, 51-50
Livingston defender as he puts up a shot in the lane during
Thursday's game in Dragon Gymnasium. Berry scored six points as
the Roughriders won, 51-50. (Photo by John Krueger)
NACOGDOCHES, Tx -- Three players that Center head coach Hiram Harrison has been needing to show leadership stepping up and take over games did so on Thursday as the 'Riders exploded with strong first and third quarters and then shut down Livingston when the game was on the line late to record a 51-50 victory in the Suddenlink Dragon Classic Thursday here at Dragon Gymnasium.
The victory vaulted the 'Riders into the championship game on Thursday night, where they dropped a 69-51 decision to Pflugerville Hendrickson, to finish the tourney with a 2-4 mark. But Center finished the tourney in second place.
Center (5-14) hit 51.2% (22-of-43) of its field goals and turned 10 Livingston turnovers into 11 points during a crucial portion of the game as Center fought back from a dismal second quarter and a 23-21 halftime deficit to take a 36-35 lead after three periods, which set the tone for the final stanza.
"I thought we had some guys step up today and take the leadership roles that I've been looking for," said Harrison after the contest. "Our biggest problem this year is that we only have two players with true varsity playing experience. Those are the guys that need to be leaders and take charge when we need it the most.
"(Senior) Johnny (Sudds), (senior) Cameron (Cloudy) and (junior) Tony (McCollister) really stepped up big-time today. Now we have to see if we can sustain that kind of play and build from it. We don't have long until we start district play again and we'll need the type of play liked we received during crucial parts of the game today."
Cloudy led the Center offensive attack, scoring 18 points, with 12 of those coming in the final two quarters. The senior guard also added four rebounds.
Sudds pumped in 12 points, with six of them coming in the crucial third quarter. He also added six steals. His defensive play on the Livingston's final shot was why the shot did not even touch the rim.
Trailing 51-50, the Lions had a chance to take the lead with 10 seconds remaining, but a 3-pointer wouldn't fall. Myles Netherly grabbed the rebound for the Roughriders and was fouled on the play. But Netherly couldn't convert the front end of a 1-and-1 foul shot with 8.1 seconds left and Livingston was given new life.
But Sudds played tenacious defense on the final Lion jumper from 17 feet and the ball fell short.
McCollister got into the scoring act for CHS with nine points, while pulling down a team-high eight rebounds. Jay Berry chipped in six points, D.J. Bolton scored four and Netherly had two points and four steals.
The 'Riders looked as if they were going to roll in the first period, forcing seven Livingston turnovers and blowing out to a 17-8 lead.
"We came out playing solid basketball in the first period, but I don't know if it was fatigue or lack of concentration, but we let them back into the game in the second quarter," Harrison noted. "Then we played strong again in the third quarter.
"If we're going to make a run at a playoff spot, we've got to learn to sustain our strong play. I know we have a lot of inexperienced players, but that's why it’s so important for the older players to lead the younger ones."
After a strong first quarter, the Roughriders appeared to make a 180 degree turn in the second quarter, committing 14 turnovers, which the Lions turned into six points. The Lions also pounded the ball inside, scoring 12 points in the paint. The end result was outscoring Center 15-4 to take the 2-point at the break.
In the third quarter it was Center defense that created offensive opportunities as the 'Riders jumped back in front by one heading into the final period Cloudy scored seven points in the quarter - including a 3-pointer - and Sudds three layups on fast-break opportunities.
Trailing 40-39 with 6:20 remaining, Center blew the game open when it went on a 9-0 run over a span of 1:51 of the fourth. Three of the field goals came on layups and six of the points were caused directly from turnovers.
Leading 48-43, Berry took a pass from DeJalen Preston and hit a 3-pointer give CHS a 51-43 lead. That was all the offense that Center would need as it held off a furious rally attempt in the final minute by Livingston.