Team looks past Shootout losses
Rachel Hazlett
Mesa Legend

MCC suffered a tough loss to Vincennes University in the last game of the Mesa Baseline Rotary Shootout.
The tournament was hosted by Mesa Jan. 2, 3 and 5. The Thunderbirds hosted eight schools and faced defeat in the three games they played.
Head coach Alton Lister was in high spirits about his team’s performance.
“We had the chance to win a game… the last five minutes they just wore us down, but we competed, so I’m happy based on that,” he said.
Mesa went into the game against the fifth-ranked Trailblazers with aggression and enthusiasm.
Freshman Micky Burtnyk put Mesa’s first points on the board and continued to light up the court throughout the game.
The T-birds rallied with VU as the score margin remained small. A dunk by MCC’s Ryan Rourke excited the crowd.
Halftime approached with a score of VU 39, MCC 34.
Thunderbird Fred Marshall huddled up with his team at the end of halftime to get them enthused and ready to play.
The Trailblazers maintained the lead as MCC followed close behind. A score by Alex Davis put Mesa up 42-41. Seconds later VU’s Dale Parsons answered back with a three-pointer.
Burtnyk’s game stayed strong with shots and assists, including an assist to Davis on a three-pointer that drew a foul. The play concluded with three shots made from the line.
Vincennes performed underneath with Carl Landry scoring point after point.
Mesa came back with three scores from the perimeter in a row.
Both teams fought their way through the second half, but VU’s force became to strong in the final minutes of the game. The match ended at VU 92, MCC 78.
Marshall was optimistic and impressed by the enthusiasm of his team after the game.
“We didn’t fall short; we made them work for the win,” he said.
Burtnyk led the team with 20 points. He said that the highlight of his performance was “trying to lead my team to a win.” Davis followed Burtnyk with 19 points.
Landry finished with 29 points and nine rebounds.
Lister felt that the tournament was a success.
“As a coaching staff we are able to look at the team and see who can step up and play,” he said.

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