A month into the pandemic stricken season the men's basketball team has their first victory. The Thunder went on the road to Madison, SD to take on the Trojans of Dakota State University out of the North Star Athletic Association (NAIA) and came away with a big 72-62 victory. The game started off slowly for the Thunder as they exchanged baskets before two separate runs by the trojans catapulted them their largest lead of the game at 23-13 with under 10 minutes left in the first half. After cutting the lead to three with 6 minutes to go and exchanging a few buckets, MCC would go on their own 13-4 run to finish the half and take a 2 point lead into the halftime break leading 33-31. The second half would start out with more baskets traded, but the Thunder would never relinquish the lead as they were able to build the lead to as many as 18 points with under 5 minutes to go. The final tally would give MCC a ten point victory and their first of the season. 

Jordan White led the Thunder with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. He would score all of his points in the second half and go 3/3 from three point land. Tanner Heiden and Nate Awbrey came off the bench to pour in 13 and 10 points respectively while Garrett Harmison started and scored 8 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. MCC had a balanced and unselfish attack with 7 guys scoring five points or more and the Thunder earning 22 assists on 30 made field goals. 

The Thunder are back in action this coming Friday and Saturday as they host Central Christian College (KS) on Friday afternoon and Great Lakes Christian College (MI) on Saturday afternoon in the innagural Thanksgiving Classic. 

Starting Friday, 11/27, and running through Saturday, 11/28, MCC men's basketball will host a four team Thanksgiving Classic in Howie's Activity Center. The three teams that will be in attendance along with the Thunder are Great Lakes Christian College (MI), Barclay College and Central Christian College (KS). In a year where there has been so much uncertainty, each of these teams are looking forward to having a chance to get a couple of more games under their belt during this first semester. 

"I think it's a great chance for all four of these programs to play some games," commented Thunder Head Coach, Jordan Strom. "It's been such an up and down year for a lot of us in a lot of different ways I'm pretty confident all of us are just excited to play." 

The games will begin on Friday, 11/27, at 2:00 pm when fellow conference program, Barclay College, takes on NCCAA DII power, Great Lakes Christian College. The Bears from Barclay enter the weekend 3-3 on the young season with region victories over Spurgeon College and Kansas Christian College. Great Lakes Christian College comes to Manhattan with a record of 1-2 through a very difficult NAIA schedule. The 4:30 pm contest on Friday will feature the Thunder taking on the Tigers of Central Christian College out of the Sooner Athletic Conference. The Tigers enter the contest with MCC at 2-0 on the season after victories over Calvary University and Bacone College. Saturday's slate will tip off at 12:00 pm with Central Christian College taking on Barclay College and the 2:30 pm contest will feature the Thunder and Great Lakes Christian College. 

Friday 11/27 - First team listed will be the home team and wear light jerseys

2:00 pm - Barclay vs Great Lakes 

4:30 pm - Manhattan vs Central Christian 

Saturday 11/28 - First team listed will wear light jerseys (Manhattan would still be home)

12:00 pm - Central Christian vs Barclay 

2:30 pm - Great Lakes vs Manhattan 

Admission to the games is free, however, fan attendance is limited in Howie's Activity Center to a total of 100 spectators. All games will be streamed live on the MCC Network.