Bears in MCCC Title Hunt
The Barclay College Bears took their undefeated MCCC record on the road this weekend to Kansas City, MO to face Calvary Bible College and then to Joplin, MO to face Ozark Christian.
On Friday, January 18th the Bears took on the Warriors of Calvary. The home team jumped out to an early lead thanks to a plethora of early turnovers by the Bears before the tide began to turn midway through the half. The Bears clamped down the defense and went into the locker room with a 30-22 lead following a tip in at the buzzer by Freshman Titus Gwess. The Bears controlled the second half, holding a double digit lead through most of the second half, before winning 68-59.
Sophomore Charles Brodhead led the way with 17 points and 9 rebounds while Senior Toney Hatton controlled the paint with 14 points and 8 rebounds.
The following afternoon the Bears took on Ozark Christian for a battle for first place in conference. Once again, the Bears came out slow as Ozark built a lead of 18 points before the Bears chopped the lead down to nine just before the half. In the second half, senior posts Shane Brown and Hatton went to work. Less than five minutes into the half the Bears took the lead, which the held until the five minute mark when Ozark rallied. Down the stretch it was the Ambassadors that made the plays and pulled out an 85-83 victory to put the Bears in a tree way tie for first in conference with Ozark and Manhattan Christian. Brown ended up with 20 points while Hatton added 19 and 7 rebounds.
The Bears (10-3, 4-1) travel to Oklahoma City on Tuesday for a Southwest Region match-up with Hillsdale Free Will Baptist at 7:30 PM CST.