In front of its largest home crowds of the season, the Sinclair Community College basketball teams split a doubleheader against Columbus State Community College on Wednesday, Jan. 14. The Lady Pride won 77-54, improving to 12-3 on the season, while the men’s team lost 95-83, dropping its record to 14-3.
Men’s game
Things started out great for the No. 12 Pride as forward Maurice Mendoza dunked on the opening possession, but Sinclair was unable to keep Columbus State off the offensive boards, which ultimately cost them the game, according to coach Jeff Price.
“Their strength was rebounding and they beat us to the glass,” said Price.
The Pride cut the deficit down to just six with eight minutes remaining in the second half after a break away layup by forward Derek Ober, but Columbus State stretched its lead out again after a series of Sinclair turnovers.
“Our turnovers led to uncontested lay-ups,” said Price. “Anytime you make a turnover and they get a wide open lay-up that’s just an empty possession.”
Forward Jason Clardy led Sinclair with 17 points and 10 rebounds. The loss to Columbus State marks the team’s second straight conference loss.
“We’re just going to come back and get ready for the next game,” said Price. “The good part about this is that when you play every Wednesday and Saturday you don’t have long to wait.”
Women’s game
The Lady Pride’s 15-point second half lead was cut to four with just seven minutes remaining before their perimeter shooting, lead by forward Emily Frey and guard Chelcie Cullett, put away Columbus State for good.
“Our outside shooting was huge,” said coach Jeff Dillon. “That’s what we’re going to have to do. We lost a post player (center Jessica Pierre to an ACL injury), but we have great guards. So game in and game out we’re going to have to utilize our strengths and our strengths were our guards tonight.”
Although the Lady Pride won by 23, they did have 27 turnovers, a stat Dillon said needs to be improved.
“We turned the ball over way too much. We definitely got to pass the ball a little bit better and take care of (the ball),” Dillon said.
Emily Frey led the Lady Pride with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
Both teams’ next home games will be Jan. 30 when they play a doubleheader against Lorain Community College.
