By Chris Miller

NOVEMBER 27th 2018: The CUC Cougars started the game strong in the first half with a small lead against the (Marian University) Muskies, that soon changed within the first, five to ten minutes of the first half with the Muskies taking control of the game. In the first half alone, the Cougars had ten turnovers due to multiple travel calls and offensive foul calls. The Cougars were seven of thirteen at the free throw line and shot above 40 percent in the first half. Both teams in the first half of the game showed resilience, the Muskies had 12 rebound with the cougars having 14 rebounds in the first half which were dominated by Landen Gladney, freshman forward. Both teams in the first half contributed a total of 24 personal fouls. Gladney who led the team in rebounds with seventeen total rebounds for the game showed some strength in the paint last night, as he scored 20 points for the cougars. There are high hopes with Gladney in the future as he needs to elevate his free-throws and drive to the bucket when in the paint to improve his game. The Cougars shot 50 percent last night but came back strong in the second half, Jaleen Meeks, guard for the Cougars, contributed in a big way dominating the scoring side of the offense. Meeks scored 27 points for the cougars with style while performing a euro step to the basket.

Cougars gave the Cougars twenty-two points last night and helped the cougars with a comeback in the second quarter of the game. Mitch Pelissier, senior, had a rough night with a few traveling calls that contributed to last night’s game, he also fouled out the game with 1:28 left in the second half. This was a big factor for the Cougars as they lost a star scorer due to foul trouble near the end of the game. Pelissier has a strong will to play the game but has little adjustments that need to be made when attacking the rim or getting into the paint as his faults resulted in fouls or travels. In the near two minute warning of the second half, began a showdown between the two teams as the game became a clincher. The Cougars showing heart pushed back the ten-point lead from the Muskies to a four-point lead and then a two-point lead with foul trouble. The Cougars lost players due to foul calls after the two-minute warning in the second half has shown that a few adjustments need to be made to the offense. Meeks, a star point guard for the Cougars, had four fouls last night and almost fouled out himself within the last moments of the game. Cougars have a long season ahead of them and have a great team that needs adjustments in ball movement, free throw line shooting, and staying out of foul trouble. On that note, Go Cougars!!!!