Salisbury, MD- The Cougars defeated the John Jay Bloodhounds in the Championship Game at the 2011 Optimist Classic held on Saturday Dec. 3, 2011. MEC won 67-59. The win improved their record to 5-4 while the Bloodhounds dropped to 4-3. This was a non conference matchup. This was also the first tournament championship during the season, the Men's Team won since 2009.

The Cougars were very familiar with their opponent, being a Conference foe. John Jay took an early lead 3-0. Winston Douglas of MEC would nail a 3pt. shot, tying the game at 3 with 18:25 left in the half. MEC would score 3pt. shot from Tony Sims, giving the Cougars a 6-3 lead. They wouldn't give up the lead for the rest of the half. John Jay would cut the lead to 1, but never took advantage. MEC largest lead was 17 in the half. MEC shot 37.5% from the field, 54.5% from behind the arc, and 42.9% from the free throw line. John Jay shot 17.9% from the field, 18.2% from behind the arc, and 100% from the free throw line (4-4).

MEC in the 1st half were led by Winston Douglas. Douglas scored 14pts, grabbed 5 rebounds, tallied a block and a steal. Jerome Alexander led the Bloodhounds with 9pts.

The 2nd half was all MEC. They led from the opening minute and never let go of the lead. MEC largest lead was 19pts and John Jay closest to the lead was 2pts. John Jay made more free throws and outscored MEC in the half 43-34. MEC shot 42.9% from the field, 16.7% from behind the arc, and 60% from the free throw line. John Jay shot 30% from the field, 8.3% from behind the arc, and 94.7% from the free throw line (18-19). Jovan Deare led the Cougars in the half, with 13pts, grabbing 6 rebounds, and a steal. John Jay was led by Jerome Alexander who scored 10pts.

For the game, MEC was led by Jovan Deare. The Junior from Brooklyn, NY scored 19pts, grabbed 11 rebounds, tallied 2 assists and 3 steals. Winston Douglas scored 17pts, grabbed 11 rebounds, added a block, and a steal. Tony Sims scored 11pts and Jarrel Deare added 10pts. John Jay was led by Jerome Alexander. Alexander scored 19pts and Kevin Philius who added 10pts.

After the game, Winston Douglas was named MVP of the 2011 Optimist Classic, Jovan and Jarrel Deare were named to the All Tournament team.

The Cougars will be back in action on Tesday Dec. 6, 2011 when they play the Albertus Magnus Falcons in New Haven, Conn. Game time is 7:00pm.