Sometimes in athletics a team runs out of time before having the ability to take a lead. On Monday night the Lumberjacks left too many seconds on the clock as NDSCS Wildcats (20-4) was able to force the game into OT. With :20 seconds to go in the second half our TEAM took a 69-68 lead off of a Walker assist to Thomas. As time winded down a tough foul call was made on a difficult shot attempt allowing a Wildcat player to make a free throw providing both teams with 5 more minutes of play. In the extra session our Jacks were unable to convert on the offensive end while the Wildcats went 6-9 from the field and pulled off a win 83-75.
Some might say we are "snake bitten" to an extent up to this point, but what is most important during a college basketball season is to keep PERSPECTIVE.
per-spec-tive : ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative
importance
Reality is, this TEAM has gone through a tough stretch of games and to be honest, WE have not performed at an exceptional level as a whole. Jayden McMillan has been injured for majority of the spring semester. This TEAM has yet to play at full strength for more than 3 games this entire season. NDSCS is a very well coached team as the overall record would indicate, and winning any game on the road in college athletics is difficult. On Monday night our guys competed at an uncommon level, stuck together through moments of adversity, continued to play TEAM basketball, and improved our overall ability to stay disciplined for majority of possessions. With that being said, WE are still participants in the "marathon" of a college basketball season and it seems these Jacks appear ready to play solid basketball.
ULTIMATE GOAL - Play our best TEAM basketball in the month of February.
After one game in February there is no argument WE competed as a TEAM at our highest level up to this point in the season. Jayden McMillan is set to make his return tomorrow night against Turtle Mountain CC at "The Woodshed" with tip set for 8pm following the Ladyjacks game. I'm not sure how we will finish the season or what our record might be, but I will say this TEAM has continued to show resiliency throughout the season which is the mark of strong competitors.
Statistical Highlights:
Kristoff Walker - Hands down played his best college basketball season. Played at a different level than any other player in the gym. 29 points and 7 assists.
DaShamone McCarty - Chipped in with 12 points while playing hard nosed defense.
Marquis Thomas and Billy Engel added 10 points a piece.
