Central's offense slumps in 73-65 loss to Tabor JV

November 22, 2014 3:15 pm • By The Telegram Staff

HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- For 20 minutes of basketball, the Raiders held strong enough defensively to stay ahead of the Tabor JV.

In the second half, though, that fell apart, as the Central Community College men's basketball team fell to Tabor JV 73-65 Friday during the Hutchinson Community College Classic at Hutchinson Community College.

"The last two games, we've missed over 100 shots," Central head coach Jerry Drymon said. "It's going to be hard to win a game like that."

The Raiders held the Tabor JV to just 28 points in the first half, as Central held on to a 31-28 lead by halftime.

Down the stretch, Central couldn't get many shots to fall, shooting 30 percent from the floor in the second half.

Tabor went on to shoot 42 percent from the floor in the second half, and made three more 3-pointers than Central to earn the win.

"We had a lot of good looks," Drymon said. "We're just not going to win very many where we shoot 30 percent. It's going to be hard to win many games with that percentage."

It was also hard for the Raiders to win the game allowing 45 second-half points.

"We just didn't play very well and didn't play very hard defensively to win the game," Drymon said. "I think we have enough second or third scoring options, the problem is the shooting percentage."

Central was full-strength for the first time since its season-opener.

Matthew McLeod, back from a sprained ankle, and Thomas Johnson, back from a heel injury, both played most of the game for the Raiders.

McLeod scored nine points, while Johnson added 14 points -- second on the team to Shawn Robinson's 20 points.

Though a healthy roster is obviously a positive, adjusting those players back into the lineup can be tricky.

"Obviously, when guys come back in, you're changing roles again," Drymon said. "I think one of the things we have to figure out is a set rotation."

Central played Hutchinson Community College Saturday in the Classic. The game was not finalized by press time.

"For our part, we have to handle (Hutchinson's) physicality," Drymon said. "We'll have to send bodies inside and rebound the ball. If we can rebound and score inside against them, we have a good chance to win."

Friday at Hutchinson, Kan.

Central (1-8) 31 34 - 65

Tabor JV 28 45 - 73

* CENTRAL - Shawn Robinson 20, Thomas Johnson 14, Matthew McLeod 9, Warol Gatdit 8, Connor Long 6, Tanner Fuelberth 5, Tyrone Clayton 4.

* 3-point field goals - Central 9 (Johnson 4, Robinson 2, Long 1, McLeod 1, Fuelberth 1).