Behind Gordon Rogo’s 26-point-performance, McLean (10-5) pulled out a home victory over Marshall (3-12) in the final six minutes of the game, a win that put the Highlanders at the top of the Liberty District.
Rogo showed poise and aggression inside, drawing fouls throughout the game. Nine of his 26 points came from the foul line and were crucial in the outcome of the game.
“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.”
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Marshall stayed within four points in the first quarter. Mo Samantar found his hot hand early for the Statesmen, going 4 of 6 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.
McLean came out strong and heavy on the press in the second quarter, which allowed Marshall players to run deep for quick, open shots. The Statesmen took a one point lead, heading into the locker room at the break 35-34.
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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 led by two points heading into the final quarter. Samantar got into foul trouble late in the second half, leaving Watkins at hot at the helm.
But the Highlanders struck quickly on a 5-0 run that would turn into the game's 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.
The Highlanders led 56-50 and would never look back as they outscored Marshall 14-6 in the remaining minutes to take another win and sit atop the Liberty District.
McLean Head Coach Kevin Roller said he was proud of his team but felt Marshall actually outplayed them. It came down to free throws 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 on Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. while Marshall plays at home against Langley on the same night at 7:30 p.m.
