Pitt CC gets the better of Lenoir CC in second matchup
Pitt Community College’s Reginald Clark goes up for two of his team-high 19 points in a 96-82 win over Lenoir Community College Wednesday. Photo by William “Bud” Hardy / Neuse News
WINTERVILLE | For the second time this season the Battle of Highway 11 went to Pitt Community College.
The Bulldogs defeated the Lenoir Community College Lancers 96-82 Wednesday. PCC (5-5) defeated LCC (5-7) on the road Nov. 29 by a score of 80-69 and despite a furious Lancers comeback in the second half, the Bulldogs hung on.
“We really had to slow the ball down late, take our time and keep fighting to stay up,” PCC’s Reginald Clark said after his 19-point, 14-rebound effort. “We knew it was going to be a fun game with everyone coming from the hometown, so we had to put on a show.”
Pitt Community College’s DonQuez Davis looks to the sideline for the play in Wednesday’s match against Lenoir Community College. Photo by William “Bud” Hardy / Neuse News
The Lancers went up 4-0, but the Bulldogs countered with a 10-0 run — highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from Taji Moore. A slam from Eric Agee put LCC ahead 13-12, but three consecutive baskets from Rovel Ray and a DonQuez Davis 3-pointer were the points in a 9-0 run to put PCC up for good. The Bulldogs went up by as many as 16 and Edmund Scott’s layup as time expired put the team ahead 49-36 heading into the second half. LCC would claw back with a long run to start the second half, benefitting from a trio of long-range shots, including two from Tyler Wilson. When Jason Robinson scored inside, LCC was within 56-54 with 12:28 left.
Pitt Community College’s Rujon Walters looks to make a play Wednesday against Lenoir Community College. Photo by William “Bud” Hardy / Neuse News
From there, the three Kinston players on Pitt’s roster would spark a 11-0 run, starting with Moore’s twisting layup before hitting Ben Cox with a no-look pass for an easy score. After Clark got two points inside, Rujon Walters would steal the ball and Moore assisted Timothy Downing for a slam, followed by a Walters free throw and Clark basket to make the score 67-54.
Moore played sparingly in the first matchup, but made his presence felt in the second.
Pitt Community College’s Taji Moore got the start in Wednesday’s game against Lenoir Community College and made a big impact in the Bulldogs’ win. Photo by William “Bud” Hardy / Neuse News
“I had surgery at the beginning of the season and my whole thing was just staying patient,” Moore said. “I love my team and I’m thankful for everything — Ru showed out, Tigger showed out, Tim had some great plays — really, everyone came out and played great.”
LCC would get within 76-72 after a long 3-pointer from Darius Dunn with 3:47 to play, but PCC kept up its pace, punctuated by an alley-oop from Walters to Clark with 1:44 to put the Bulldogs ahead 86-78.
“Our head coach couldn’t be here (Wednesday because of a suspension) so we had to come together as a team to pick up the win,” Walters said.
For LCC coach Chris Brown, the consistency wasn’t there.
“We have to focus for the complete 40 minutes of the game,” Brown said. “At times it seems like we could find ourselves back, but a lack of effort hurts us down the stretch. Once we correct those things, we’ll be a better team moving forward.”
Kristian Williams led all scorers with 24 points for LCC while Jason Robinson added 15. For PCC, Jamens Ray II had 15.
Lenoir Community College’s Darius Dunn brings the ball up the court under duress from Pitt Community College’s DonQuez Davis in Wednesday’s game. Photo by William “Bud” Hardy / Neuse News
PITT COMMUNITY COLLEGE 96, LENOIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE 82
LCC 36 46 — 82
PCC 49 47 — 96
LENOIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE — Kristian Williams 24, Jason Robinson 15, Wilson 9, Agee 8, Roberts 8, Adams 8, Sutton 5, Dunn 5
PITT COMMUNITY COLLEGE — Reginald Clark 19, Jamens Ray II 15, Walters 9, Downing 9, Moore 8, Scott 6, Ray 6, Davis 6, Cox 6, Robertson 4, Pettaway 4, Brown 2, Sutton 2
Three-pointers: LCC — Ray II 3, Moore 2, Davis 2. PCC — Williams 4, Wilson 3, Dunn.
