McCann Tech Boys Lose Big Lead, Win Anyway

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — The McCann Tech boys basketball team led early, fell behind late and rallied for a 54-52 win over Smith Voc on the road on Friday night.

 

"We played a solid game for the first three quarters," McCann coach Mike Nykorchuck said. "We got very sloppy on offense and got lazy on defense to start the fourth quarter. We feel very fortunate to come away with the victory.

 

"It is very difficult to regain a lead after losing a big lead and all the momentum. I couldn't be prouder of how the whole team stuck together and responded to Smith's run."

 

Shane Fuller scored 27 points for the Hornets. Rahmere Vincent had 16 to go with 11 rebounds.

 

McCann led 11-4 at the end of the first quarter, 33-19 at half-time and 45-34 going to the fourth quarter.

 

But the Hornets (6-1 Tri-County, 7-4 overall) could not score in the first six minutes of the final quarter, allowing Smith (2-5, 2-6) to go on a 14-0 run and take a 48-45 lead.

 

"Rahmere Vincent's driving basket cut the lead to 48-47," Nykorchuck said. "That was followed by two Shane Fuller foul shots to give McCann the lead, 49-48, and two more Vincent foul shots extended the lead to 51-48."

 

Fuller pulled back behind the line for a 3-pointer on McCann's next trip to make it a four-point cushion, but Smith struck right back to cut the lead in half.

 

After a disputed shot clock violation gave Smith the ball with 10 seconds left, McCann tightened up its defense to secure the win.

 

McCann makes a short trip to go out of conference against Mount Greylock on Monday.