By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON—Nine players found the scoring column for the men’s Muskegon Community College basketball team on Wednesday evening as the Jayhawks got by conference foe Mid-Michigan College 80-63.

The Jayhawks connected on six 3-point shots in the first half en route to a 37-32 halftime lead.

Vern Nash (Muskegon) led the way with 8 points and Jeff Sultzer (T.C. Howe) along with DJ Lanier (Dowagiac) each tossed in 6 first half points for MCC.

The Jayhawks and Lakers were tied up three times in the first half and there were five lead changes.

MCC opened up the second half on a 9-4 run to extend their lead to 46-36.

The Jayhawks kept the lead the entire second half, which saw Sultzer can 12 points. MCC canned four 3-point shots in the second half and the MCC offense racked up a 43-31 scoring advantage over Mid-Michigan.

Was really pleased with the way we defended as a team in the second half. Thought our bench played well and gave us the spark we needed. Good team win,” said Jayhawk head coach Jimmy Booth.

Sultzer led the Jayhawk offensive attack with a team high 17 points.

Ty Thiel (Rockford) and Nash also hit for double digits, tossing in 13 points each respectively. Thiel and Nash also hauled down 5 rebounds each. Isaac Anderson (Northrop) led MCC with a game high 13 rebounds.

The Jayhawks shot 42-percent from the field going 27-of-66, while connecting on 9-of-24 from 3-point land. MCC shot 58-percent from the free throw line hitting on 14-of-24 free throws.

Mid-Michigan shot 39-percent from the field going 26-of-66 from the field. The Lakers were 4-of-18 from 3-point range and hit 7-of-15 from the charity stripe. Mid-Michigan did manage to out rebound MCC 42-38.

Muskegon Community College improves to 11-6 overall and is 8-3 in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. The Jayhawks will take the court again on Saturday, Feb. 5 when they host Glen Oaks at 3:00 pm.

Jeff Sultzer led the Jayhawks offense on Wednesday evening with a team high 17-points (Photo/Pete Koryzno – Muskegon Community College)

MCC guard Ty Thiel tossed in 13-points on Wednesday evening in the Jayhawks win (Photo/Pete Koryzno – Muskegon Community College)

MCC guard DJ Lanier goes up for a rebound on Wednesday evening in action against Mid-Michigan College (Photo/Pete Koryzno – Muskegon Community College)