Campus News
January 23rd, 2024
Lakers pull away from Butler County
Vargo pours in career-high 37 points; Jackson adds 27 in win
Butler, PA – Alex Vargo scored a career-high 37 points and Gavin Jackson contributed 27 as Garrett College pulled away in the second half last Thursday to defeat host Butler County Community College, 90-74.
K'Shawn Scott (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Nate Washington (12 points, 10 assists, six rebounds) each posted a double-double for GC. The Lakers (9-8) nursed a 47-45 lead into halftime, but tightened up their defense in the second half while holding Butler to just 29 points.
"We didn't get off to as good of a start defensively as we wanted," said GC head coach Matt McCullough. "We decided to go to man [defense] and challenge everyone to individually play well on the defensive end."
McCullough said the Lakers' offense usually benefits when the team is playing strong defense.
"When we're playing good defense, we're creating turnovers and increasing the tempo," said McCullough. "That allows us to get down the court and exploit the other team with favorable numbers."
Vargo was 13-of-23 from the floor, including 4-of-7 from the 3-pointer line, while hauling in six rebounds and registering four assists. Vargo, who is averaging 23.9 points per game, scored at least 30 points for the fourth time in his 12 games played this season.
"Alex kind of carried the load scoring for us in the first half," McCullough said of Vargo, who had 21 points at the break. "He's got so much skill and so much ability. He has the opportunity to explode like that offensively."
Laker Stephen Robinson didn't score, missing his only shot from the field, but pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds.
Demitri Fritch had 22 points and a game-high 22 rebounds for Butler, while teammate Isaiah Sharp added 20 points off the bench.
Garrett hosts the Community College of Beaver County (6-11) Wednesday at 7 p.m.
"We've got four straight region games," said McCullough. "This is a key stretch of the season for us. It's a chance for us to come together and click at the right time."
CCBC-Catonsville 86, GC 68
McHenry, MD – Murray Grant scored a game-high 26 points as the Cardinals overcame an early, 7-0 deficit to win last Wednesday's contest.
Jamal Lee (14 points, five steals), Albright Obode (11 points, 19 rebounds), Jason Ogbolu (10 points), and Jo-Nathan Kelly (10 points, 11 rebounds) joined Grant in double figures for Catonsville.
Catonsville had a 41-40 lead at the half. The Cardinals finished with a 54-41 advantage on the boards, including a 21-9 edge in offensive rebounds.
Nate Washington led Garrett with 22 points while dishing out a game-high eight assists. Alex Vargo had 18 points and Justyn Boyd just missed double figures with nine.
Women's Basketball
CCBC-Essex 87, GC 33
McHenry, MD – The defending NCAA Division II national champions blew out to a 28-5 lead after one quarter Sunday afternoon on the way to an easy win.
Jayla Scott (10 rebounds) and Alana Powell (seven assists) each scored 14 points for Essex (13-5 overall, 6-0 conference) to tie for team-high honors. Kierran Walker and Deborah Okechukwu added 11 points apiece for the Knights, who are ranked fifth in the latest NJCAA Division II national poll.
Gabriella Valentinetti scored a game-high 16 points for the Lakers (6-5, 1-2), but shot just 6-for-25 (24 percent) from the field. The Lady Lakers as a team shot 18 percent (11-for-60) from the field.
GC hosts the Community College of Beaver County (2-11) Wednesday at 5 p.m.
