Preview: McCook Indians at Indian Hills Warriors

OTTUMWA, Iowa (Interstat) — A men’s junior college basketball rematch with regional implications is set for Wednesday when the McCook Indians visit the No. 1-ranked Indian Hills Warriors.

Indian Hills (10-1), playing on its home court at Hellyer Center, enters as one of the nation’s top teams. Its lone loss came on the road against Snow College in November. The Warriors’ offense has been explosive, averaging 94.5 points in their last two contests, including a 125-point performance against Lake Region State on Dec. 5.

The Warriors are led by standout guard Sawyer Mayhugh, who is coming off a 28-point, 8-rebound effort in an 89-70 win over North Dakota State College of Science on Saturday. In the teams’ first meeting this season, a 88-73 Indian Hills victory at McCook on Nov. 21, Mayhugh contributed 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

McCook (7-3) seeks both redemption and a statement road win. The Indians have won three straight since that loss to Indian Hills, including an 88-79 victory at Laramie County on Saturday. Their success hinges heavily on forward Mo Diao, who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds in that win. Diao has been a force on the glass, pulling down 23 total rebounds in his last two games.

The Warriors’ depth presents a major challenge. Alongside Mayhugh, Mason Costello (22 points, 7 rebounds vs. NDSCS) and Taj Au-Duke provide multiple scoring threats. McCook will need secondary production from players like Lukas Gudavicius, who had 11 points and 7 rebounds Saturday, and Alier Alier to keep pace.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central. Indian Hills travels to Mineral Area College on Saturday, while McCook continues a tough road stretch at Snow College on Dec. 18.