The Motlow Lady Bucks are in need of some home cooking, and a victory, following a pair of losses this past weekend in East Tennessee.
The Lady Bucks (4-16, 2-12) will get an opportunity to get back on the winning track when they host Southwest Tennessee Wednesday night at Copperweld Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Motlow dropped a 108-45 decision to Walters State, the nation’s seventh-ranked team, on Friday night in Morristown. The Lady Bucks then traveled to Harriman, where they fell to Roane State 68-47 on Saturday.
Former Coffee Co. Lady Raider Kaley Rogers came off the bench to lead the Lady Bucks with 11 points Friday night.
The Lady Bucks trailed Roane State by only two, 24-22, at halftime Saturday before lack of depth and too many turnovers began to have an effect. Chelsey Wiseman scored 13 points and had six rebounds.
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The next win will be the most significant in the 43-year history of men’s basketball at Motlow College.
The Bucks can clinch the regular season Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) championship and an automatic berth in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) tournament with their next victory.
Southwest Tennessee visits Copperweld Arena Wednesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 8 p.m.
Motlow (18-3, 13-1) put itself in this historical position by sweeping Walters State 73-59 and Roane State 74-72 this past weekend on the road in East Tennessee.
“Our guys fought hard this weekend through some adversity,” said Bucks head coach Jerry Nichols. “Their hard work and dedication showed through. They put the team before themselves in pursuit of a common goal, which is to get to the national tournament. Now we have an opportunity to achieve that goal.”
“History can be made and we would love to see the gym packed on Wednesday,” Nichols said. “This is not just for us but for all our fans and supporters who have been there for us through thick and thin.”
Sophomore Michael Tomlin had a strong performance inside the paint for the Bucks, leading the team with 16 points and 12 rebounds and two blocked shots.
Saturday afternoon the Bucks had to withstand a pesky Roane State team that battled until the very end. Motlow trailed 72-71 with 2.3 seconds to play when D.J. Jones connected on a three-point shot to secure the hard-fought victory and put his team within one win of history.
Chris Hawkins scored 17 and pulled down nine boards, two assists and three steals. Jones had 14 points.
Motlow will host Dyersburg State on Saturday, when it will recognize its sophomore basketball players.
