Cougar News

Paducah, KY - Mid-Continent University (12-10, 5-3 TSAC) went ahead by 15 points in the first half and led 42-29 at halftime and by as many as 17 points in the second half enroute to an 86-75 TranSouth conference victory over Trevecca Nazarene University (14-7, 5-3 TSAC), Thursday, February 4, at Paducah Tilghman High School.

     With Cumberland defeating Lyon Thursday night, coupled with MCU's win over Trevecca, all three schools reside in a third-place tie in the TSAC race. For its next action, MCU meets Lyon College (5-16, 1-8 TSAC) for a TranSouth game, Saturday, Feb. 6, in Batesville, Arkansas, at 4:00 p.m.

   Senior guard Tiron Peoples (Kevil, KY/Heath HS) came off the bench and led the Cougars with 19 points, 12 in the first half, 2 three-pointers, 2 thunderous slam dunks, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Also off the bench, senior guard Donovan Willis (East Orange, NJ/East Orange HS/Essex CC, NJ) added 13 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, and senior All-TSAC center Kenny Thomas (Orange, NJ/Orange HS/Essex CC, NJ) returned to the starting line-up after an injury and contributed 13 points on 6 of 7 shots, 3 rebounds and a blocked shot.  Senior point guard Aaron Pearson (Baton Rouge, LA/Southern Laboratory HS/Cabrillo HS, CA) finished with 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 steals and continues to lead the conference in steals. Senior reserve guard David Gratton (Jacksonville, FL/Sandalwood HS/Palm Beach CC, FL) added 9 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

    Trevecca guard Matthew Elliott led all scorers with 21 points and had 2 three-pointers, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Guard Michael France totaled 18 points, 4 three-pointers and 4 rebounds, and forward Jeremy Dixon contributed 15 points, 2 three-pointers, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Forward Keith Morris added 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

    MCU erased an 18-15 Trevecca lead at 13:07 with a 27-11 run over the rest of the first half and led 42-29 at halftime. The Cougars scored 14 consecutive points in one stretch, growing the lead from 24-23 to 38-23 with 3:57 left before intermission. In the second half, MCU built the lead to as many as 17 points, 53-36, with 15:58 left, 68-51 with 7:56 left, and 70-53 with 7:02 left in the game. Trevecca whittled the lead down to 8 points with 29 seconds left but came no closer.

     After shooting .680 from the field in the first half, MCU finished the game shooting .585 from the field (31-53), made 4 of 15 three-pointers and 20 of 34 free throws and committed 17 turnovers. MCU outrebounded Trevecca, 34-22, and stole the ball 11 times. Trevecca shot .529 from the field (27-51), made 9 of 22 three-pointers and 12 of 14 free throws and committed 24 turnovers.