MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa – The Northeast Community College men’s basketball team let a four-point lead slip away in the second half as Marshalltown Community College narrowly defeated the Hawks (3-18, 3-18 ICCAC) 78-72 on Saturday in Marshalltown, Iowa.
Evan Decker (Omaha, Neb.) and Jared Lopez (Lincoln, Neb.) sank back-to-back 3-pointers to open the second half as both teams went back-and-forth in the final 20 minutes. The Hawks took a four-point lead after a Michael Anderson (Lincoln, Neb.) made a layup with 13:24 to play in the game. Each team traded baskets in the final eight minutes, but it was Anderson that hit a 3-point to pull the Hawks within three points.
The Hawks’ offense went cold until Anderson hit another 3-pointer that narrowed the Marshalltown lead to only eight points. Anderson made one final attempt to take the momentum after finding the bottom of the net, while Ben Tew (Cheshire, England) hit a layup with 21 seconds to play, but it ultimately wasn’t enough.
Anderson tallied 20 points and six rebounds. Decker added 16 points, while Tew had 15 points and four boards. Lopez chipped in 10 points and five rebounds.
The Hawks look to get back in the win column when they battle Iowa Lakes Community College at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.
