Roadrunners fall in opening round of SFCC Classic

Sedalia, Mo.- The State Fair Community College (SFCC) Roadrunners men's basketball team lost a 73-71 game to Western Iowa Tech on Friday, Nov. 14 inside the Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center in Sedalia, Mo. The back-and-forth contest featured 11 lead changes and four ties.

SFCC (3-4) trailed 9-4 with less than 15 minutes remaining in the opening half. Western Iowa took a 10-point lead later in the half. SFCC took a one-point advantage courtesy of a basket from freshman guard Nate Wilder with about three minutes remaining. Western Iowa fought back to lead 38-35 at halftime.

Western Iowa Tech took an 11-point advantage, which was the largest lead held by either team in the contest. SFCC once again fought their way back into the contest. Sophomore forward Malick Ndiaye tied the game at 71 with a basket off an offensive rebound with seven seconds remaining in the game. Western Iowa Tech once again had the answer with a basket to take a two-point advantage.

SFCC missed a long shot in the final seconds which allowed Western Iowa Tech to secure the victory.

"When we want to play hard, we are really good," said Roadrunners head coach Jeremy Jackson. "When we don't, we get into those holes, and we keep trying to rely on being able to dig ourselves out of them."

Wilder led SFCC in scoring with 18 points and dished out a team-high three assists. Sophomore forward Daniel Garza contributed 11 points and a team-high 11 rebounds to finish his double-double. Freshman guard/wing Andin Ashford also contributed 11 points. Garza and freshman wing Da'Ron Hall tied for the team lead in steals with two. Garza registered a team-high four blocked shots.

SFCC will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 15 to close out their portion of the SFCC Classic with a game against Kirkwood Community College. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics