Washington, D.C.- The Cougars for the first time since 2009, played in a Championship game for a non conference tournament. Tonight on Sunday Nov. 27, 2011, the Cougars fell to the Muhlenberg College Mules 83-43. The Mules improved to 5-1 while the Cougars are now 3-3.
MEC played slow early on, and fought back and forth with the lead against Muhlenberg. The Cougars led by as much as 3pts. Once 16:01 was left in the 1st half, the Mules went on a tear, leading by as much as 19pts. The Cougars last led in the half 21-20 with a 3pt. shot by Kayode Prime. The Mules led 43-24 at the break. MEC didn't shot well at all during the game, only knocking down 10 out of 40 shots from the field. They made 1 3pt. shot out of 17, and 3-9 from the free throw line. The Mules shot 44.4% from the field, 33.3% from 3pt. range, and 75% from the free throw line (9-12). Jarrel Deare led the Cougars with 12pts in only 16 minutes. Muhlenberg was led by Spencer Liddic with 11pts, and Malique Killing with 10pts.
The 2nd half, was not a half MEC wanted. They never got back the lead and were down by as much as 40pts. They were outscored 40-19. MEC shot 23.5% from the field, 7.1% from 3pt. range (1-14), and 50% from the free throw line (2-4). Muhlenberg shot 46.7% from the field, 20% from 3pt. range, and 68.8% from the free throw line. Jovan Deare led the Cougars in the half with 6pts while Muhlenberg was led by AJ Dean with 10pts.
For the game, MEC in the loss was led by Junior Jarrel Deare with 12pts. He grabbed 5 rebounds, and tallied 2 steals. Junior and his brother Jovan Deare scored 11pts, grabbed 5 rebounds, tallied an assist, and a steal. Muhlenberg was led by 3 players with double figures. Spencer Liddic scored 18pts, Malique Killing scored 16pts, and AJ Dean tallied 15pts.
After the match, Juniors Jarrel Deare and Winston Douglas were named to the All Tournament Team.
MEC will be back in action on Tuesday Nov. 29, 2011 when they play their Boro and CUNYAC rival Brooklyn College Bulldogs for the conference opener. Tip off is 7:30pm.