Just when you though the STLCC Men's Basketball season was close to coming to an end, the Archers dug a little deeper and clawed their way out of a 19 point deficit to take all the moment in the final ten minutes of the Region 16 semi-final contest against North Central Missouri College, winning 67-62 to advance to the Region 16 Championship against MCC-Penn Valley on Saturday at 8:00 pm.
Jalen Wadlington hit a 3 pointer with thirteen seconds remaining to break a 62-62 tie and Marquis Pepper hit two free throws with three seconds remaining to ice the game and send STLCC into the final, Wadlington finished with a game high 18 points. Raushaun Amos scored 17 points, including 5-8 from beyond the arc, each one seeming to give the Archers more energy and confidence, Andre Pruitt scored 9 points and dished out 4 assists, while Javahn Stith grabbed 6 rebounds. During the second half, the Archers held North Central Missouri to 37.5% from the field but more importantly they held the Pirates to 0-8 from beyond the arc.
STLCC was playing shorthanded as they were missing two starters due to injury, but still managed to outrebound NCMC 34-38, including allowing only 3 rebounds on the offensive glass.
STLCC improves to 17-12 on the year. The winner of Saturdays Region Championship, will host the winner of Region 2 in a home game next Saturday.