Mott sophomore Lorenzo Collier
FLINT, Michigan –Mott sophomore Lorenzo Collier wasn’t about to let his team overlook Henry Ford CC on Saturday afternoon in Flint. With Mott clinging to a razor-thin margin in the MCCAA Eastern Conference standings, every league game is a must-win from here on out.
Collier, the former Detroit Pershing standout, scored 16 points in the first eight minutes of the game and 34 total to lead the Bears to a surprisingly tight 83-74 win over the Hawks. He connected on seven 3-pointers.
“We’re so proud of Lorenzo,” said Mott head coach Steve Schmidt. “He’s our hardest working player; he’s our best defensive player, too. It’s great to see players like that rewarded.”
Mott struggled with the Hawks in the first half before a late flurry from, no surprise, Collier put the Bears up by seven at the half.
The Hawks sprinted out on a 6-0 run before the Bears finally took control of the game — at least for a few minutes. After another 3-pointer by Collier and a dunk in transition from freshman Keion Ferrington, the Bears were up nine with 12 minutes left in regulation.
The Hawks once again crawled their way back, ultimately tying the game at 67 with five minutes left. Once again it was Collier who bailed out the Bears with a huge triple from the top of the key. Diandre Wilson nailed another triple on the ensuing possession to finally put the Hawks to bed. It was the exclamation point on a timely 10-0 run by Mott.
“It wasn’t one of our best games, but we will take the win,” Schmidt said. “We’re still a work in progress, but we are one of the top teams in the region.”
Before Mott fans start reading too much into a lackluster performance, bear in mind that the Bears have wins over Muskegon, Schoolcraft and Triton, the current no. 1-ranked team in the country. They also have two narrow losses to Lansing, another team that achieved the no. 1-ranking before losing to Muskegon.
In spite of all the ups and down, the Bears are still in the hunt.
The Bears have one week to prepare for the game that may ultimately make (or break) their season — Saturday’s tilt on the road against Schoolcraft. The Bears are currently one game back in the standings. Schoolcraft has won six straight games.
Ferrington scored 14 points(6-6) with seven rebounds and four assists for the Bears. Diandre Wilson and Jalen Adams added 13 and 11 points, respectively. Wilson added six assists.
Freshman Deangelo Carlton led Henry Ford (1-18) with 25 points.
Mott’s game versus Schoolcraft will be broadcast on MRSN.us starting at 3 p.m.