Lopes kick off season with three straight wins

The Lamar Community College men's basketball team started the 2017-2018 season with three big wins at home, promising an exciting season to come.

The Lopes started their run with a hard-fought win over the Southeast Colorado All-Stars on Wednesday, November 1. The All-Stars proved to be a formidable opponent, refusing to go down without a fight and giving the crowd a good show at the Lopes' home-opener. 

The Lopes outscored the All-Stars by six in the first half and then only one in the second, and they were able to clinch the home win with a score of 89-82.

Sophomore Richard Caldwell led the team with 24 points, followed closely by Justin Holliday with 22.  Sam Boone brought in the most rebounds with 12, followed by Holliday with 10 and Jikhalil Smith with 9. 

On Friday night, the Lopes faced Colorado Northwestern Community College at home. After a close first half, the Lopes came out with some fire in the second.  They outscored the CNCC team by 27 points to finish the game, taking their second W with a  final score of 85-57.

Two key players, Caldwell and freshman Aaris Bonds, changed the pace of the game and led to the Lopes victory. Caldwell scored 27 points while Bonds had nineteen points and two open dunks.

Sam Boone contributed nine rebounds, with Caldwell and Bonds each got eight.

The Lopes wrapped up their first week with an easy Saturday game against the Adams State University JV squad.

The Lopes outpaced the Adams State team, leading by 31 points in the first half and continuing that success in the second to finish the game 45-100.

Logan Longo and Holliday led the Lopes offense with sixteen points each. Quashaun Breland was big on the boards, contributing eleven rebounds to the LCC win.

The Lopes look to continue their winning ways as they travel next to Clarendon College on Tuesday, November 7.