Mustangs Improve to 2-0, Take Down Salem 77-69

By: Oliver Griffin

The Montgomery County Community College Men's Basketball team moves to 2-0 on the season, defeating the Salem Community College Mighty Oaks in a hard-fought victory in Salem, New Jersey.

The Mustangs came out firing in the first half, shooting 60% (15-25) from the field as a team and putting up 40 points. In the first twenty minutes, the Mustangs had received a joint scoring effort from the five starters, but the Mighty Oaks remained within 4 points, dropping 36 of their own in the first half. The Mustangs started off the second half on a 12-4 scoring tear in the first four minutes, but went cold after that until around the 10-minute-remaining mark in the game. Luckily, the Mustangs' stellar defense kept them active and ahead in the game, as well as timely buckets that helped to keep the momentum in Montco's favor. The Mighty Oaks were held to just 26.9% from the three-point arc, on 26 shots.

In the end, the Mustangs pulled out the win, with a final score of 77-69. Guard Naim Walker dominated the stat sheet with 18 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, and dropping 10 of his 13 shots from the free-throw line. Forward Malachi Owens dumped in 17 points of his own, along with 10 rebounds to complete his first double-double of the season. Matt Compas finished with 18 points and 5 boards, and Khalid Johnson exploded for 5 made three-pointers, finishing with 16 points on the night.

The Mustangs will look to build on the energy they've created over the first two games of the season, seeking a win at Harrisburg Area Community College (0-0) on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 2:00 P.M.