MBB: Miscues hurt 'Riders in loss to Hudson
Central defender during Tuesday night's game against Central. The
'Riders dropped a key game at Hudson on Friday, 66-47. (Photo
by Ray Jackson)
The Center Roughriders picked a bad time to turn the ball over as they went on the road to Hudson Friday night and gave the ball up 36 times in a 66-47 setback to the Hornets in Hornet Gymnasium.
The setback hurt the Roughriders' playoff chances as they dipped to 8-17 on the year and 3-3 in District 18-3A victory. But Center did bounce back Tuesday night at home to knock off Central, 61-51, to move within a game of third place. Center still controls its own playoff destiny.
In the setback to Hudson, only two Center players managed to score in double figures, with Jamarcus Suell hitting 5-of-8 from the field for 13 points. DeJalen Preston converted 5-of-11 field goals for 11 points.
Myles Netherly chipped in five points to the cause.
Center did force 23 Hudson turnovers and outrebounded the Hornets, 41-26.
The Roughriders hit 20-of-53 (38%) field goals and struggled at the free throw line, converting only 4-of-18 (22%).
Tony McCollister was the leading rebounder for Center, pulling down 12 boards, with Darron Bolton and Preston each adding seven and Netherly tallying six.
Center finished the game with 16 steals and nine assists.
Hudson caught the Roughriders off guard in the opening period, moving out to a 21-8 lead at the end of the quarter. But the 'Riders came back strong in the second quarter, pouring in 23 points, while limiting the Hornets to just seven to take a 31-28 lead at the half.
Although Center had momentum on its side in the second quarter, Hudson was able to grab it back in the third quarter, scoring 22 points, while CHS was limited to 10, and the 'Riders fell behind 50-41 heading into the final stanza.
The 'Riders didn't have an answer for the Hornets in the fourth as they were outscored 16-6 and took the district setback with a 19 deficit.
The Roughriders will return to action on Friday night when they travel to Huntington for another key matchup. Center has five games remaining in the regular season. The Red Devils are currently 5-1 in District 18-3A play and in second place, one-half game behind league leader Jasper.