Boone, Iowa— On the 23rd of November County Upper played their first game of the American Tour, CU’s first game was against DMACC who at the time of the game were Nationally ranked as the #3 team in the Country.
DMACC are an NJCAA Div 2 school, who play in one of the toughest leagues if not the toughest league in the country. DMACC have a proud basketball history; for the past 10 years they have been ranked as one of the top 20 programmes in the country. In 2002 and 2007 they made it to the Final Fours and 7th – 8th playoff game of the NJCAA Div 2 National Championship respectively. DMACC consistently develop and place student-athletes to the NCAA Div 1 and NCAA Div 2 ranks. “Having been a basketball player and student coach at DMACC, I know how disciplined, athletic and tough these guys will be; I just hope we come out ready to earn respect, seeing they are currently undefeated and ranked as the #3 team in the country.” said Coach Johnson.
From the start of the game County Upper were on the back foot and it seemed no one turned up ready to play defence as DMACC raced to a 14 point lead 16 – 2. This was followed by another 29 – 8 point run which blew the game wide open leaving CU trailing by 35 points 45 – 10 with three minutes to go. DMACC cruised into half time off the back of another 14 – 6 run leaving County Upper tailing by 43 points 16 – 59.
The second half started better for County Upper as both teams started trading baskets but it was CU’s lack of defence that held them back as DMACC put a 11 – 6 run together followed by a 20 – 10 run to increase their lead to 58 points 90 – 32. DMACC then ran their bench allowing County Upper to finish the game trading baskets. The final score was 105 – 42 to DMACC.
“A lot of our players came into this game nervous and it showed. We did not play as tough as should have on defence nor did we bring enough effort to the offence. In games against teams like DMACC we need to come to the game ready to put everything into it.” Said Coach Johnson.
