Roadrunner comeback falls short

The Roadrunners traveled to Park Hills on Saturday evening, Jan. 23, to battle the 16th ranked Mineral Area Community College Cardinals. SFCC (13-6, 2-2 in Region 16, 3-2 in the MCCAC) fell by a score of 82-70. 

Mineral Area shot out to a 15-4 lead with about 15 minutes remaining in the first half. SFCC trailed 43-28 at halftime. The Cardinals stretched the advantage to 19 points in the second half in front of a large homecoming crowd. 

SFCC fought their way back into the contest and cut the lead to four with about five minutes to go in the game. But Mineral Area made the plays down the stretch to secure the victory. SFCC struggled from the free-throw line as a team shooting 61.3%. 

"Our defense was definitely better in the second half," said Roadrunners Head Coach Kevin Thomas. "We were able to get defensive stops and performed more at a championship level in the second half. Offensively, we figured out a way to attack their 1-3-1 zone defense that they ran against us. I just wish we would've made our free throws because that probably would've helped us win the game." 

Sophomore guard Ronnie Rousseau III led the Roadrunners in scoring with 18 points. Sophomore forward Clint Robinson contributed 15 points. Freshman guard Duante Stephens pulled down a team-high eight rebounds. Freshman guard Willie Jimerson Jr. dished out a team-high five assists. Robinson registered a team-high two blocked shots. Rousseau led the team in steals with three. 

"Clint played especially well in the second half," said Thomas. "He gave us some offense and toughness inside. Willie gave us a spark in the second half. Craig McKenzie Jr. brought some energy off the bench, and Duante defended really well. Down the stretch, I thought our guys competed at a high level." 

SFCC will return home on Tuesday, Jan. 26, for a conference matchup against the St. Louis Community College Archers. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center on the Sedalia campus. 

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics