Marshall Boys Succumb to McLean in the Fourth Quarter

Six minutes before the end of Saturday's game against McLean, Marshall was down by just six points, 56-50.

But the Highlanders outscored Marshall 14-6 in the minutes that remained to beat the Statesmen 70-56, earning them a spot at the top of the Liberty District.

Marshall had four players score double digits. Mo Samantar found his hot hand early for the Statesmen, going four of six for nine points while teammate Latrell Watkins led the team with 11 points. Marshall’s 3-point specialists, Aaron Aggen and Connor Barrand scored 10 points apiece including two each from downtown.But it was no match for McLean's Gordon Rogo.

Rogo scored 26 points in the game and drew fouls when McLean needed them most,  earning nine of his total points from the charity stripe.

“This season I haven’t been shooting well from the line at all [56 percent] and been in a huge slump there this year,” Rogo said. “I knew I had to pick it up coming down to the end this year and knew it would be the deciding factor.”

McLean came out strong and heavy on the press in the second quarter, which allowed Marshall players to run deep for quick, open shots on several occasions in the first half. The Statesmen lead by one at halftime, heading into the break 35-34.

Both teams jousted hard in the third period off the fast break, but McLean let up a bit on the press to regain control.

“We started to be softer in our press and keep them in front of us,” Rogo said. “If they beat it, they beat it but they would be in front of us.”

McLean’s strategy worked and Rogo’s team now led by two points heading into the final quarter. Samantar got into foul trouble late in the second half, leaving a hot Watkins at the helm. But the Highlanders struck quickly on a 5-0 run that would turn into the game changing moment. Mark Hannibal drained his first 3-pointer of the year and Rogo followed it up immediately off a steal for the lay up with 5:30 left to play.

McLean Head Coach Kevin Roller said he was proud of his team but felt Marshall actually outplayed them for the most part but it came down to free throw in the end.

“We executed a little better and made a few more free throws,” Roller said. “When Mo [Samantar] got in foul trouble, our press worked a little better. They played very, very well and from an execution standpoint they played better than we did but we were able to turn them over enough and make free throws.”

McLean plays next at Madison Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. while Marshall plays at home against Langley on the same night at 7:30 p.m.