Cougars Punch Ticket to Region XX Tourney with 77-63 Win Over NOVA

By: Aaron Meekins, Assistant Men's Basketball Coach

FREDERICK, Md.--Frederick Community College had February 28th circled on the calendar for over a month. With a win, the Cougars would have the opportunity to defend their D2 Region XX Championship from the 2015-2016 season. With a loss, their season would come to an end. Given all of the pressure on FCC to deliver, the Cougars used tough defense and stayed consistent on offense throughout the game to pull away from NOVA, 77-63. 

The first half was dominated by the Cougars. After five minutes of play, the score was tied at 8-8. From there, Frederick began to pull away, led by the hot-shooting Tyre Gathright. With ten minutes to play, FCC led 20-13, and with five minutes to play had built their lead into double digits, 31-18. The Cougars got a scoring boost of its bench from Cyree Dunnell, who scored 16 points as he connected on 6-of-8 field goals. At the 1:30 mark of the first half, the Cougars had created a twenty point cushion, 42-22. FCC took a 21 point lead into the locker room after 20 minutes of play, 45-24. Gathright finished the half with 15 points connecting on 7-of-9 field goals. Keon Claiborne dished out six assists in the first half while teammate Jacob McIntosh controlled the paint with six rebounds and two blocks.

The start of the second half belonged to the Nighthawks who jumped out to a 9-0 run cutting into the lead, 45-33. FCC sophomore Anthony Isaac got Frederick back on track and with 8:44 left in the contest, the Cougars extended their lead to 23 points, 66-43. NOVA didn't go away easy cutting the lead down to 14 points with just 5 minutes to go. However, FCC would prevail and went on to win the game, 77-63. Anthony Isaac led the way for the Cougars in the second half, pouring in fourteen points. 

Isaac finished the game with 17 points and nine rebounds. Gathright added 19 points and five rebounds. Dunnell finished the game with 16 points and five rebounds. Keon Claiborne handed out six assists. Jacob McIntosh added a good all-around night with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocked shots. 

Up Next! The Cougars move on to the Region XX Tournament at Garrett College which begins on Friday, March 10th. #7 seed FCC will take on #2 seed CCBC Catonsville at 3:00 p.m.  

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