Mustangs take home fifth place, 71-68

UNIONTOWN, PA-A gigantic first half comeback was the catalyst for a 71-68 victory in the fifth place game at the 2010 USCAA National Championships. The Mustangs (down 23-8 early) used a 27-to-9 run to close the first half and eventually take home their tenth victory of the season.

A stymied Eagles squad only managed three field goals in the final 11:30 to play in the first half to allow the Mustangs back into the ballgame. The three field goals were due to a stonewall effort on the behalf of the Mustangs. The early 15-point hole marked the largest deficit the Mustangs came back from during the entire 2009-10 campaign.

Three Mustangs topped double-digits in the season-ending victorious effort. Eric Johnson (Southfield, Mich./Lathrup) led all scorers with a game-high 20 points and 7 rebounds. Johnson’s effort was followed by another magnificent effort by junior forward Justin McKinney (Detroit, Mich./Mumford). A 19 point -13 rebound effort was good for McKinney’s ninth double-double of the season. He also added three assists, three steals, and two blocks while playing all 40 minutes of the contest.

Sophomore guard Marcus Hopkins finished off the season with his finest all-around performance. The former Southfield star kept the Eagles on their heels with a balanced 12 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds in the 71-68 win.

The win lifts the Mustangs record to 10-22 to end the season. Only losing one senior, Franklin Murdock, the Mustangs youthful core is sure to make a splash in the NAIA and USCAA next season.