By MATT KING/Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Sunday, January 22, 2006
Updated: Saturday, January 21, 2006 11:58 PM CST

PARK HILLS - The Mineral Area College men's basketball team absorbed a first half shooting barrage by visiting Moberly on Saturday night, then let superior athleticism and conditioning take over from there.

A relentless defensive effort created several transition baskets during a dominant second-half outbreak to compliment one of the Cardinals' most efficient offensive performances of the season in an 87-69 victory.

Mineral Area (16-4), which is currently ranked 19th nationally in the NJCAA Division I poll, shot an impressive 61 percent from the floor and converted 13-14 free throws as a club to improve its record in Region XVI play to 3-0.

Moberly (16-5) knocked down six three-point field goals in the opening stanza to not only keep pace, but carry a 40-39 lead into halftime. However, fatigue and a lack of reliable depth left the Greyhounds exhausted and unable to contain the explosive Cardinals.

“I could tell that Moberly was starting to get tired late in the first half,” said MAC coach Corey Tate, “and I knew that our conditioning would eventually kick in.”

Long-range accuracy became contagious in the early going for the Greyhounds. B.J. Benning connected on a couple of difficult fade-away jumpers from the baseline, and Mikey White drilled three quick triples to give Moberly a 21-15 lead.

The Cardinals were unable to cash a flurry of offensive rebounds into points while trailing, but their hard work would eventually pay dividends.

MAC generated an emphatic response when Ralph Mata sent a perfect alley-oop pass to DeAlan Hicks for a slam. The energy continued to build when Willie Hassell left a behind-the-back pass for Eric Stuckey after Moberly guard Ray Nelson collapsed with a minor shoulder injury while handling the ball.

Tony Webb nailed the first of his four three-pointers on the night to put MAC up 24-23, and Chad Henderson scored with a slashing drive to the bucket on the ensuing possession.

Marlon Jackson would trigger a series of lead changes with a driving layup for the Greyhounds. MAC regained a momentary advantage on a Tremaine Wilkerson tip-in, but Mikey DeWalt ended the half with a three at the buzzer.

Moberly managed to hold a 46-44 edge after Benning connected on a three from the right corner, but Mineral Area used quick passes to counter with back-to-back triples by Willie Hassell and Webb before kicking the intensity up to an even higher level.

Rickey Claitt hit an off-balanced layup after swiping the basketball near mid-court, and Curtis Muse rocked the basket with a follow slam set up by another steal to create a 61-50 margin.

Benning momentarily trimmed the Moberly deficit to single digits with another lengthy jumper, but a three-point play by Darryl Butterfield and six consecutive points from Webb suddenly quickly turned the game into a rout.

The Cardinals achieved their largest lead at 83-59 when Hicks scored on a transition putback.

Webb led the Cardinals in scoring with 22 points while Henderson added 11 and Hassell netted 10. Mineral Area forced 26 turnovers in the triumph and held a decisive 35-4 advantage in bench scoring.

Benning posted a game-high 24 points and Jackson chipped in 17 for Moberly, which placed four starters in double figures. The Greyhounds finished the night with a total of 15 rebounds.

The Cardinals return to region action at home next Saturday, and must avoid a letdown against a struggling State Fair squad.

Moberly 40 29 - 69

Mineral Area 39 48 - 87

SCORING:

Moberly - Benning 24, Jackson 17, White 13, DeWalt 11, Nelson 2, Sawyer 2.

3-point FG - White 3, DeWalt 3, Benning 2.

Mineral Area - Webb 22, Henderson 11, Hassell 10, Britton 8, Hicks 8, Muse 8, Butterfield 7, Mata 5, Claitt 4, Wilkerson 2, Stuckey 2.

3-point FG - Webb 4, Hassell 2, Henderson, Mata.