
PLATTSBURGH — It wasn't your typical blowout — a much-improved Word of Life team made sure of that.
In fact, the Schroon Lake-based school gave Clinton Community College all it could handle before bowing 74-70 Monday night in Plattsburgh. And, for that, Clinton CC Coach Kevin Daugherty was grateful.
"In the past with this team (Word of Life), there have been some routs. That's not what we needed to get ready for North Country on Thursday and we got pretty much what we needed out of tonight's game," Daugherty said.
"They gave us all we could handle. They were big and aggressive on the glass."
Clinton led most of the way, opening up a 10-point spread at one point. But the Cougars, who trailed 42-41 at halftime, never could put away the visitors.
"We had some nice runs in the first half, but then we committed some silly fouls that stopped any momentum we had," Daugherty went on.
"The main adjustment we talked about at halftime was to stop their perimeter people from penetrating. Once we were able to do that with consistency, we were able to control play. But they were still right there."
The Cougars were able to show their depth in the opener.
"We had 10 kids score for us in a close game and I was happy about that," Daugherty acknowledged.
Shareem Hardy scored 18 points and Anthony Hodge hit for 14 to lead Clinton.
Julio Garcia, a six-foot-four forward, gathered in 15 rebounds for the Cougars while Sharief Saunders came up with five steals.
Jared Joseph netted 19 points, Steve Martin added 18 and Charles Lewis, 14, to lead Word of Life.
Clinton will host North Country Community College at 7 p.m. Thursday.
—
Clinton 74, Word of Life 70
Word of Life (70)
Arthur 3-0-6, Bush 2-0-5, Martin 5-4-18, Fetterhoff 2-0-4, Hollenbach 2-0-4, Joseph 7-4-19, Lewis 5-4-14. Totals 20-6-12-70.
Clinton CC (74)
Alexander 4-1-9, Hodge 6-2-14, Vice 2-3-7, Garcia 3-3-9, Saunders 2-3-7, Hardy 8-1-18, Waiters 1-0-2, Lectrick 1-0-2, McCray 1-0-2, Culler 1-2-4. Totals 28-1-15-74.
Halftime: Word of Life 42, Clinton 41
3-point goals: WOL (6) Bush, Martin, 4, Joseph. CCC (1) Hardy.