PLYMOUTH, IN– The Ancilla men’s basketball team was on fire Wednesday night in their 76-67 win over the Vikings of Glen Oaks Community College. The home game win was their seventh Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Western Conference victory this season.
The Chargers (16-11, 7-7 MCCAA) came out strong building an eighteen point lead against the Vikings (10-14, 3-10) and finishing the first half 25 points ahead. After fast-paced back and forth action, the Vikings were able to pull the score even 65-65 with two minutes left to play. The Chargers lit up from the three-point line late in the game. Travon Brackett’s shot for three followed by a crucial steal by Devon Burton and Mike Wickliff’s three point shot allowed the Chargers to pull ahead by eight, claiming the win.
A powerful performance was shown from Eric Waddell, who shot 9 for 13 from the three-point range scoring 27 points for the Chargers. Juwan Johnson added 13 points and 10 assists to a key late season win for Ancilla.
“The guys came out and really competed tonight. We got off to a hot start and were able to build an eighteen point lead,” commented Ancilla head coach Aaron Butcher. “We got a little cold in the second half and didn’t defend at a high enough level to sustain our lead and let them back in it. Losing our lead and then making the plays we needed down the stretch to win it says a lot about the resolve of our guys.”
Coach Butcher tweeted after the game “With last night’s win the Chargers clinched a berth to the region tournament for only the fourth time in school history and second consecutive year.”
The Chargers will be on the road Saturday to take on Muskegon Community College (19-6, 9-4 MCCAA). They will return home on Wednesday, February 25 to face off against the Jets of Jackson College (9-16, 3-10 MCCAA). Game time is set for 7:30p.m.
