Mercer Shows No Mercy
by Tyriq D. Smith
The CCBC Dundalk Lions faced a challenging defeat Thursday night against Mercer County Community College. Despite holding a strong position earlier in the game, the Lions couldn't maintain their lead, ultimately falling by a final score of 97-89. This loss drops their overall record to 12-10, while their conference record stays at 7-4. The team showed flashes of strong play, but they were unable to close it out, allowing Mercer to rally back.
In the first half, everything was clicking for the Lions. They were firing on all cylinders, with their offense in full flow. #20 Alex Obase was a standout, contributing 23 points and 8 rebounds for the game, while #4 Hussian Williams added 24 points. Their combined efforts helped the Lions build a solid 12-point lead heading into the break. It looked like they were in control, and fans were optimistic about their chances of securing a victory.
In the second half, the Mercer County Vikings came out with a clear plan to get back into the game, and they executed it flawlessly. They started the half scorching hot, shooting an impressive 53 percent from the field. Their efficient shooting, combined with a more aggressive approach, allowed them to quickly chip away at the Lions' lead. The Vikings outscored the Lions by 20 points in the second half, turning the game on its head and ultimately securing an 8-point victory. Despite a strong first half, the Lions couldn't find an answer to Mercer's second-half surge, leaving them with a tough loss to swallow.
Despite the tough loss, there were plenty of positives for the Lions to build on. As a team, they out-rebounded the Vikings 39-26, showcasing their strength on the boards. In addition to that, several players had impressive individual performances, with multiple contributors scoring in double figures. #3 Destin Bray and #5 Xavier Barrow each scored 10 points, while #11 Christopher Scott put together a well-rounded performance, finishing with 12 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds. These efforts highlight the depth and talent of the Lions, and although they couldn't secure the win, they can take confidence in the strong performances from their key players. With more consistency and focus, the team has the potential to bounce back stronger moving forward.
Next up for the Lions, they will face off against the Community College of Beaver County at the Dundalk Athletic and Wellness Center on Saturday February 15. Tip- off is set for 2 PM. With a chance to bounce back and get back on track, the Lions will be looking to build on their strong individual performances and improve as a team. Fans can expect an exciting game as the Lions aim to snap their two-game losing streak and pick up a crucial win on their home court.