The SCC Storm overcame a 16-point second half deficit to upset Northeast Community College 78-74 in a thrilling finish on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Truman Center.
Southeast trailed by five points with two minutes to go before Jerrod Gamble hit a trey from the corner to cut NCC’s lead to 70-68. The Storm got a stop on the next possession, and Altez Davis hit two foul shots to tie the game at 70.
Those free throws would begin what ended up being a heroic effort for the 6-7 freshman from Danville, Ill.
Davis got a steal on the ensuing possession and was fouled hard on a take to the goal. Altez hit both free throws to give SCC’s first lead in the second half at 72-70.
Gamble fouled out on the next possession, allowing Northeast’s Kapri Alston to hit two foul shots to tie the game again at 72. The two teams traded baskets to tie the game at 74.
Southeast had the ball with the clock winding down to 15 seconds, and Altez Davis brought the house down with a high arching three point shot to make it a 77-74 lead for SCC.
Josh Roberts stole the ball from Northeast’s Jabbar Washington and was fouled with one second remaining. Roberts hit 1 of 2 to make it 78-74 and seal the victory for the Storm.
Assistant Coach Aaron Block said it was a great win for the team, and it could help recruiting.
“(Beating NCC) hopefully helps us recruiting in Nebraska as we both recruit Nebraska,” Block explained, and they are (Division) I and we beat them.”
The win propels them into an important matchup against conference foe Central Community College on Jan. 29. Block said the game begins Region play and is important for the postseason.
Roberts led Southeast with 21 points, and Tyrell Corlew added 15.
Altez Davis and Demarius McKeiver came off the bench to score 15 and 13 points respectively.
Block said Davis continues to get better as the season goes on.
“Altez has been very good at times for us this year,” Block said. “The more aggressive he is, the better we are as a team.”
“He gives us an athlete up front that can rebound, but can also put the ball on the floor and spread it around, because he is a willing passer,“ Block added.
The coach said that Davis has a good shot at being a NCAA Division 1 player in the future.
The win improved SCC’s record to 17-7 on the season.
The archived game is available at ihigh.com/sccstorm.