The beat goes on for Terry Collins’ Archers.
STLCC passed another stiff road test on Saturday with a 99-94 win at North Central Missouri College. The victory was the fifth in a row for the Archers, who, after starting 1-8, have won seven of eight to close the weekend at 8-9.
The win, which marked the team’s highest scoring output of the season, improved the Archers to 1-0 against Division II Region XVI teams.
It also signaled an ability to win across a variety of different types of games, as it came on the heels of the team’s lowest-scoring game of the season just three days previous, when the Archers defeated Lincoln Land 66-61. That day, STLCC shot only 32 percent from the floor, but performed well enough defensively to secure the win at home.
“We got better today,” Collins said after the Lincoln Land win. “When you have some guys who are a little bit off (offensively), but find other ways to contribute, that’s really good to see.”
The Archers have been steadily getting better for some now. The trend stems all the way back to December 12 when, mired in a 1-8 start and a seven-game losing streak, STLCC defeated Arkansas State Mid-South on the road. The team’s only loss since was to Division I power Mineral Area, a five-point loss that had the game still in question in the final minute.
Saturday, the Archers exploited a North Central team that allowed 90 or more points for the sixth time in its past nine games. Conversely, Saturday was just the second time this year in which the Archers have reached the 90-point plateau.
Despite the recent success, Collins sees a clear need for improved consistency from his young team, particularly in its work between games.
“Our next step—and it’s something we haven’t done yet—is have the expectation of performing this way every day in practice. We’re still up-and-down with that. That’s our next challenge.”
The Archers’ next challenge in the form of an opponent will be at Lewis and Clark Community College on Jan. 20. The two teams met in the season opener, with the Trailblazers cruising to a 65-53 win over STLCC.