Sluggish Hawks fall to Monroe, 86-71

November 28, 2004|by RYAN ALLEN/Staff Writer

The outcome of Saturday night's Coach Brown Classic contest between Monroe Community College and Hagerstown Community College was never in doubt.

The Tribunes jumped out to an early 25-10 lead and coasted to a victory by that 15-point margin, defeating host Hagerstown, 86-71.

"My guys just didn't show up today," Hagerstown coach Kenny Keyes said. "They've got men over there and right now I just have kids."

Keyes said his team was sluggish coming back from Thanksgiving break.

"I gave them Wednesday and Thursday off and they came back Friday and just weren't ready to go," he said. "That's what happens when you have a young team."

The Hawks made their best run at Monroe at the end of the first half, slicing the lead to six points on a lay-up by Momodou Jobe.

The Tribunes answered, though, with two quick layups and took a 43-33 lead into the half.

The lead never fell below double-figures in the second half as they opened the half with three consecutive 3-pointers. Their lead ballooned to as many as 22 points, at 73-51.

Hagerstown's leading scorers - David Miner and Clif Carey - combined for just 18 points on 8 of 23 shooting. The Hawks shot just 35.5 percent from the field.

"When you live by the jump shot, you die by the jump shot, and we died by it tonight," said Keyes. "David and Clif didn't get their average and my big men just don't have it yet."

Antonio Chatman paced a balanced Monroe attack, leading all scorers with 16 points. Donnell Cummings added 14 points and Sherod Harris and Joe Mbang chipped in with 13 each.

Five Tribunes scored in double figures, as the team converted 34 of its 64 field-goal attempts.

Miner and reserves Alonzo Patterson and and Brian Collins each scored 14 points to lead Hagerstown.

The Hawks will conclude the tournament this afternoon aganst Potomac State College, which lost to Chesapeake College in Saturday's first game, 67-62.

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