The Laramie County Community College
men's basketball team beat the Trojans of Trinidad Sate Junior College 74-71 on Jan. 20, in Trinidad, Colo, and also edged Otero Junior College 50-49 on Jan. 21, in La Junta, Colo.
The Golden Eagles dug themselves out of a first-half hole to earn their first true road victory of the season. They trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half before cutting the deficit to 15 at intermission. In the second half, an inspired LCCC team scored the first eight points of the half. However, Trinidad State continued to hold the lead until the three-minute mark when LCCC's Ude Ifeanyichuku scored on a put-back dunk and put the Eagles ahead for good at 64-63. The Eagles' stingy second-half defense secured the victory and held TSJC to 31 percent shooting in the second half.
LCCC 74
TJSC 71
LCCC Leaders:
Rodrigo Silva – 19 pts, 9 rbs
Philip Freeman – 16 pts, 5 asts, 5 rebs
Justin Pacheco – 12 pts
TJSC Leaders:
Phil Watts – 14 pts, 5 rbs
Devonte Malcolm – 13 pts
Devonte Upson – 12 pts, 8 rebs
LCCC handed the Rattlers of Otero Junior College their third loss of the season by winning 50-49 on Jan. 21, in La Junta, Colo.
The Rattlers have been averaging 83 points per game, but the Golden Eagles flexed their defensive muscle and kept OJC to only 49 points. LCCC’s Philip Freeman made a game winning shot with .2 seconds left to beat the Rattlers.
LCCC 50
OJC 49
LCCC Leaders:
Philip Freeman – 13 pts
Rodrigo Silva – 10 pts
The Golden Eagles (8-10 overall, 3-1 south sub-region) will host McCook Community College (11-7 overall, 2-1 south sub-region) at 7 p.m. on Jan. 26 and then host Northeast Community College (6-11 overall, 0-3 south sub-region) on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. All Golden Eagle athletic home games are free.