Saints claim their first conference victory 53-46 over Cloud County

CONCORDIA, Kan. – the Seward County Community College men's basketball team secured its first conference win of the season with a 53-46 victory on the road over Cloud County to give it a 6-2 record and 1-1 in conference play. The bench for the Saints scored 34 of the team's 53 points with Branton McCrary leading the way with a team-high 16 points and nine rebounds. 

Early in the first half the Seward took an 11-3 lead, but Cloud County came back and held a one-point advantage after a 10-1 run. With less than a minute to go in the first half the Saints would trail by their largest deficit 28-18, but McCrary would add two layups before halftime to make it 28-22.

Trailing to start the second half, it would not be until the 11-minute mark that the Saints would tie it at 36 apiece. After trading baskets and tied at 38 the Saints would go on a 12-0 run in a span of five minutes to give them a 50-38 lead. This would the separation that the Saints would need to hold off the Thunderbirds as the Saints time management late in the game would help decrease possessions.

Seward played suffocating defense, holding Cloud to only 31 percent shooting from the field on 17-of-55 from the field. The Saints did not shoot well either, hitting on only 33 percent from the floor, but had a big advantage at the chairty stripe. Seward went to the line 23 times, hitting 14, while Cloud only went 13 times, making seven shots.

The only other Saint in double digits was Kyle Cardaci, who also came off the bench, with 11 points.

The Thunderbirds were led by KJCCC Player of the Week Jay Lewis, who had 21 points, and five rebounds.

Seward is tied for third in the Jayhawk West conference at 1-1 with Garden City, Hutchinson remains at number one and Colby sits in second place early in conference standing. 

The Saints are back at home Wednesday taking on Allen community College at 8 PM CT.