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The junior guard spoke loudly Saturday with 31 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and three blocked shots -- all career highs -- as the Owls ended a nine-game losing streak with a 76-71 NCMC win at Boonville.
Browder wasted no time laying waste to the Pirates, knocking in six shots -- three from long range -- for 15 points during the first quarter as Marshall pulled out to a 29-17 lead. He and the rest of the Owls cooled off during the second period, senior Rhett Quinlan making three buckets as Boonville pulled to within seven points at the break.
Marshall got back to work after intermission, Browder again leading the way with 13 points during the third quarter. However, that only added two points to the Owls' lead, senior Anthony Allers connecting three times -- including a conventional three-point play and a trey -- for the home club.
The Pirates kept chipping away, sophomore Jason Luster scoring 10 points during the final frame, but Marshall remained ahead -- barely, missing the front end of two one-and-one opportunities from the free-throw line.
Still, the Owls went six for nine from the charity stripe down the stretch, as juniors Xavier Foster and John Lozano filled the void while Browder was being held without a field goal by combining for 12 points.
Browder's only point of the final frame was a big one, though. The Pirates had closed the gap to 72-71, he hit a free throw with 21.3 seconds left. Marshall came up with a stop and Lozano then converted a bucket-and-one to seal the victory.
Allers finished with 22 points and Quinlan had 21 for Boonville (4-15, 1-8 NCMC), which was swept in its season series against the Owls -- having lost a 73-69 decision on Dec. 15.
Browder was held to four points by the Pirates during their first meeting, but shot 12 of 18 from the field -- including six of eight from outside the arc -- during the rematch.
Foster wound up with a career-high 13 points and junior Carter Austin added 11 points off the bench for Marshall (4-16, 3-6), which has shown no apparent sign of demise following the decision by two seniors -- guard Matt Buford and center Nathan Cato, both Missouri Western State football recruits -- to leave the team in recent weeks.
The Owls face a much stiffer test Tuesday when Helias, a perennial nemesis both during and after its membership in the NCMC, visits for a non-conference contest.
Comments
Four coaches in four years.I would not wish that on anyone.Five of your top seven back for this years team plus the two juniors(CB/DP)WE SHOULD BE BETTER.I wonder how many basketball coaches they interviewed for this job?Did they have a committee like they have done to select their football coach?We are a joke everywhere we go on the road.
Shades,
I think you should say what you want to say. If you are upset because your kid is not playing as much as you want then that's what you should say. That makes it personal but also understandable.
It is my understanding that both seniors that quit spent hardly anytime this summer with the team, when a lot of what this coach was trying to do was being worked on. Also it's my understanding that some players have commented on how one of the seniors put little effort out in practice. But I also saw both of those seniors working hard in games so who is to say.
Let's look at where the team stands. They already have one more win than last year. Kirksville, Boonville and Moberly are probably the teams in the conference that are worse. We own 3 wins versus those teams. Moberly is still the elite of the conference. Last years team was a turnover machine. It continually folded under pressure. Those have been minimized. Say what you want, but the players returning have been moved to new roles that they are contributing better in. And then some of them are just getting outplayed or need to adjust their attitudes.
Everyone wants the coach to adjust. Play two posts. Two posts got this team 3 wins last year. This offense works fine with one and one just seemed to outplay the other. He went from being a role player last year to a real offensive threat.
And this coach has had to work under ridiculous scrutiny. Parents calling him out during and after games. Meetings with every school official they can to have things done their way. These parents were once well thought of people in the community but now have shown truer colors. You lead by example and they have set poor ones.
You do not play a sport because of the coach. You play because you love the sport. If anyone in the community believes that these seniors quit because they were pushed too far you should all know better. Don't talk to them, or their parents, or the one or two kids that are still always last off the bench to greet a teammate. Talk to the other 15-20 kids who seem to be busting their humps and striving to get better.
Shame on all the parents who continue to push a negative attitude on our kids. You will raise complainers, whiners, and quitters.
In his day, Coach Hart was a stickler about attitudes. Coach Leonard seems to be following the same standards. They both suffered for it at first, with Coach Hart only winning a few games in his first year. And since Coach Hart could have easily of come back this year, I'm sure that he had some say in the hiring of the current coach. I think if someone of Coach Hart's track record approved of the hiring then we all need to be more patient.
I believe what Chris was saying was despite the fact that the two seniors left the kids that stayed haven't thrown in the towel. It would be easy for them to just fold up the tent and not even try after two senior leaders walked away, but they still play hard and got a good win. It in no means was a slight to the kids on the team, or the two seniors. They got scholarships for football, I would understand if they didn't want to get hurt or anything to jepardise their college careers.
I agree with you WickedWitch...I was disturbed by the comment as well...but was rendered speechless, yet have so much I would like to say. Unless you have experienced this basketball season for yourself you can't begin to realize the dynamics that have taken place. Not to mention these same boys went through the seasons with Baker and Berry. You add that to the mix...they were done! I don't blame them.
Mr. Browder, fantastic game. You make all MHS fans proud!
I have a bit of an issue with the statement made by the reporter--the team has shown no apparent sign of demise . . .
I see a few problems with this remark. these two seniors were not used to their potential while on the team and our reporter would know this if he had been at more than a handful of games. honestly anybody who has watched this team would agree. this in no way takes away from Browder's incredible game. just saying
Great job Cedric! What a great birthday you had. Looks like you could have a great future with basketball.