Men's hoop team nipped in final game

By Jayden Hewitt
Sports Editor

The LCC men’s basketball team suffered a close defeat during its final game on Thursday, March 2 vs. Southwestern Michigan, losing 75-74 at LCC.

The Stars were down at halftime 31-26 and battled back, only to lose by one point.

Despite the loss, Head Coach Mike Ingram said his team played hard, even faced with adversity all season.

The guys played hard all year but we had a lot to overcome,” Ingram said. “We didn't have a home gym (and didn’t) play any home games (the) first semester,” Ingram said. “It was hard for the guys to get an identity. We tried, and they tried, but it was tough for them.”

Injuries seemed to plague the Stars. It was something they had to fight through all season.

“We lost three players, two starters, in December to injuries and they were out for the year,” Ingram said. “We lost a valuable player off the bench also in December, until the middle of March. It was very hard to recover from that.

“The guys never complained but I know it was tough. We're LCC. We have, if not the best … one of the best gyms and athletic programs in the country.”

Emotions are always high during farewell games. Ingram says his players handled it well.

“I thought the guys were OK knowing that this was their last game,” Ingram said. “Most importantly it was at home in the Gannon Gym, The school worked really hard to get us back in the gym.”

Last-year guard/forward Connor Bush was the only Star in double digits with 29 points and seven rebounds in just 16 minutes of play, notching his 1,000th point in the process.

The game featured many different lineups, as well as players who haven’t played much prior, something Ingram planned.

“Win or lose this was going to be our last game of the season,” Ingram mentioned. “I felt I had some sophomores who have been loyal and dedicated to me and LCC, and I wanted them to get an opportunity to start and play in front of their family and friends.

“We had one guy, a walk-on, Zach Berry, who had never started a game and I wanted that to happen for him,” Ingram said. “The smiles on my sophomores’ faces after the game were incredible. I'm glad they got a chance to play. I hope it meant a lot to them because it meant a lot to me to get them in there for all they did for me.”

The loss brought LCC’s record to 11-17 overall and 3-9 in conference play. Ingram still took positives out of the disappointing record.

“(It was a) tough season record wise,” Ingram said, “but a good season for us all, because we had to work every day to try and get better.”