Ross' Three at Buzzer Allows IHCC to Escape

Marshalltown, IA -- As it turned out, there was just enough time for the Indian Hills Warriors and Ronald Ross.  Ross buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer to allow the Warriors to escape with an 80-77 win over Marshalltown Saturday night.

The game-winning shot came after MCC's Cameron Robinson hit a pair of free throws with 2.8 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score at 77.  Richard Amardi got the ball inbounds to Dustin Hogue who delivered a pass to Ross.  The sophomore guard had just enough time to turn and release his shot from about 30 feet out.  The ball was in the air when the horn sounded.

It was a disappointing loss for Marshalltown, which led for almost the entire game.  Indian Hills led 2-0 and 4-2, but a 3-pointer by Chris Caird put MCC on top, a lead they held until late in the second half.

Ross hit a driving bank shot with 1:18 on the clock to give IHCC its first lead since the opening minutes.  Robinson went to the foul line with 54.7 seconds to play and hit both free throws to put MCC ahead 75-74.

Amardi was fouled with 38.8 seconds remaining and calmly drained both attempts to give Indian Hills a 76-75 advantage.  The Warriors then forced a turnover and Jelan Kendrick was fouled with 11.3 seconds to go.  He made one of two free throws to put the lead at two before Robinson again hit both free throws with just under three seconds to play, setting the stage for Ross' heroics.

Marshalltown became the first team this year to lead Indian Hills at halftime, taking a 44-35 lead into the locker room.  It was the Tigers' third nine-point lead of the opening half and they eventually went on top by 12 at 61-49 with 11 minutes to play.

Jameel McKay was in the middle of the Warriors' comeback, scoring 16 of his team-high 24 points in the second half.  McKay had another double-double with 10 rebounds to go along with his point total.  Amardi had a season-best 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Caird led all scorers with 26 points for MCC.  The Tigers' Troidell Carter had 18 points in the first half, but didn't score in the second half and picked up his fourth foul with 14:22 to play.

Both teams struggled shooting the ball, each shooting around 42 percent.  Indian Hills outrebounded the Tigers 48-32 with second-chance points playing a big part in the Warriors' ability to come back.

Indian Hills finishes the first half of the conference schedule with a 4-0 record and is 21-2 overall.  MCC is 15-6 and 0-4.  The Warriors have a seven-game winning streak for the third time this season.  They will host Moberly Area CC on Tuesday night.   

INDIAN HILLS 80, MARSHALLTOWN 77

INDIAN HILLS

Jameel McKay 9 6-10 24, Richard Amardi 6 4-4 16, Trinson White 0 0-0 0, Dustin Hogue 1 4-6 6, Ronald Ross 8 1-2 19, Jelan Kendrick 2 3-9 7, Frank Williams 2 0-0 5, Gary Williams, Jr. 0 1-2 1, Majok Deng 0 0-0 0, Rawane Ndiaye 1 0-0 2  Team 29 19-33 80

MARSHALLTOWN

Rahiem Holloway 1 0-0 2, Matej Delinac 4 1-1 9, Chris Caird 10 2-2 26, Jamal Gatali 0 0-0 0, Troidell Carter 8 2-2 18, Cameron Robinson 0 5-6 5, Jamyles Coleman 1 2-2 5, Marlon Williams 4 4-5 12, Lamont Adair 0 0-0 0  Team 28 16-18 77

Halftime score: Marshalltown 44, Indian Hills 35; Three-point field goals: IHCC 3 (Ross 2, F. Williams 1), MCC 5 (Caird 4, Coleman 1)