Coffeyville, Kan. - The Coffeyville Community College Red Raven men's basketball team earned their third straight win, making key plays late to snag a 79-68 victory over the Cloud County Thunderbirds at Nellis Hall.

 

Both teams got off to relatively slow starts offensively, with the Red Ravens leading 15-14 at the midway point of the first half. Crucial three-point shots from Ulysses Webb, Kaason Thomas, and Konstantin Popovic allowed CCC to take a slim 33-30 lead to the locker room at halftime.

 

In the second half, Cloud County would take a seven-point lead during a 10-0 run, pinning the Ravens against the wall for the first time all evening. Coffeyville would respond, however, going on a 12-0 run of their own to re-take a five point lead in front of the home fans.

 

Clutch baskets late from Daniel Ntambwe, Rashid Kuta, and Jack Sorrell allowed the Ravens to earn their 17th victory of the season, and their third consecutive win.

 

Popovic led the team with 17 points on five made 3-pointers, while Kuta finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Sorrell, Webb, and Ntambwe each finished with 12 points in the win.

 

Coffeyville is 17-8 on the season, and 11-8 in conference play with five games remaining. The team is currently sitting in seventh place, but just one game back of second, and a half game back of fourth. The Ravens travel to Colby to take on the Trojans on Saturday afternoon.