MAC Splits With 3 Rivers

(Park Hills) The Mineral Area College basketball teams split with Three Rivers at the Bob Sechrest Fieldhouse on AM 800 KREI. The Cardinal Ladies lost 61-45 and the MAC men won 81-68.

The Cardinal defense once again led the way holding the Raiders 25 points below their season average. MAC pushed the lead to 20 in the first half at 36-16, but Three Rivers played tough and cut the lead to five in the second half. In the end it was too much Malevy Leons who scored 24 with 11 rebounds and three blocks….

Each team played without one of their starters. MAC was without 10 point scorer Jamir Price, but Three Rivers missed the 6th leading scorer in the country, Lamar Wilkerson, who pumps in 24 per game.

MAC coach Luke Strege says his guys showed some guts…

The 5th ranked Cardinals improve to 11-0 and head to Moberly on Monday. Three Rivers falls 6-4 and 1-3 in Region 16.

Full interview with Luke Strege

Full game audio

The MAC women played tough defense all night, holding the Raiders 28 points under their season average, but couldn’t hit enough shots to win it. Three Rivers built a nine point lead in the first half, and an 11 point lead in second half, but saw it disappear by the end of the third quarter….

MAC outscored Three Rivers 20-12 in the third to make it a one point game, 42-41, heading to the 4th. Three Rivers used a 19-4 4th quarter to secure the win.

Quincy Erickson scored 16 as the only Cardinal in double figures.

MAC coach Briley Palmer says they are putting the work in; they just need some polish…