McCutcheon and Lafayette Jefferson faced each other just a few weeks ago with McCutcheon coming out on top 55-34. This game was close for three quarters until the Mavericks pulled away late for a 54-36 win.
Junior guard Darnell Butler was aggressive early on for McCutcheon setting the tone for the game. He was able to get a couple early baskets and he was crashing the boards hard. Butler was hit with two fouls just a few minutes into the game though. Foul trouble limited his minutes in this game.
Jeff really struggled shooting the ball especially from the three-point line. The Bronchos were just 3 of 23 from the beyond the arc and 11 of 46 overall from the field. Junior Darian Collins had his moments on the way to 14 points, but he had multiple shots rim out on the night.
Despite the shooting woes, Jeff had a chance until the fourth quarter. Tre'Shon Heard stepped up for McCutcheon in the second half. He scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half. Heard also had seven rebounds. Dionte Nunn gave McCutcheon energy off the bench. He finished with nine points in the game.
Butler and Haden Deaton took advantage of Jeff's lack of size. Most of Deaton's 10 points were in the paint. Butler was also able to post up and score in the lane with ease.
McCutcheon outscored Jeff 23-10 in the fourth quarter. They will play Kokomo on Friday at 6 p.m.
McCutcheon 8 10 13 23 ---54
Jefferson 5 9 12 10 ---36
McCutcheon: Heard 17, Robert Phinisee 3, Nunn 9, Spencer Caldwell 8, Darnell Butler 7, Haden Deaton 10
Jeff: Sam Collins 5, David Hanyard 12, Dan Ricksy 3, Darian Collins 14, Keaton Schreckengast 2.