40 Minutes of Effort

The last couple weeks while we have been on this conference skid, we have preached effort, staying together, and putting in 40 minutes. Last night even with a loss, 88-84 at Bismarck State we saw more positives than negatives. We had great effort, we played and stuck together, and we put in 40 minutes. I am proud of my guys after last nights game and have a feeling this is going to turn around soon enough. If we can get something going we can still finish with 20 wins and a chance at the #1 Region Seed on the D2 side, more importantly hosting the 1st round of the region game.

Last night, was the ultimate game of runs, as both teams made runs in both halves. BSC took control of the game in the first half on the heels of a 17-3 run, going up 14. The Jack's cut the lead to 10 by halftime (47-37). In the second half the defensive effort stepped up, as DCB started the half by stopping the Mystics on 7 of their first 8 possessions. We would answer the 17-3 first half run with an 18-3 run ourselves in the 2nd half.

By 11:00 we would have not only tied the game but taken the lead 61-56, meaning overall it was a 24-9 run in the first 9:00 of the 2nd half. Another run by BSC would lead to another tie with around 8:00 to go. From this point on neither team would take completely control and would continue to go back and forth. With under a minute to go, Gilbert Carter hit a 3 to give us our final lead at 82-81. On the ensuing possession, there would be a collision under the basket leaving a Mystic open in the corner, he would hit a three to make it 84-82. A DCB bucket and a BSC free throw would make it 85-84, with under 45 seconds to go. On our next possession we would miss a good look at a three and Bismarck State would manage to secure the rebound, and outlet it long for a bucket and a foul. At this point it was 88-84 which would be the final tally.

Leading the way for the Jacks was Gilbert Carter with 30 points on 10-17 shooting, including 5-10 from three. He added 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

The Jack's continue their season on Thursday when they host D2 foe UTTC in an all too important game with Region Seed Implications. The game will be slated for approximately an 8 pm start.