Archers Battle to the Wire Against John Wood CC

The St. Louis Community College men's basketball team showed grit and determination in a hard-fought contest Saturday afternoon at Forest Park, falling 68–61 to a hot-shooting John Wood Community College squad that caught fire from beyond the arc in the second half.

The game was a back-and-forth battle early, with STLCC trailing by just one at halftime (27–26). The Archers controlled the glass and shared the ball effectively, winning the rebounding battle 31–28 and finishing with more assists (12–11) than the visiting Blazers.

Sophomore guard Zac Goss led the way for STLCC with 20 points and three steals, continuing his strong play as the team's offensive catalyst. Forward Stefan Higgins added 8 points and 6 rebounds, while Aman Kesete provided a spark off the bench with 7 points.

Despite the loss, the Archers showcased their ability to compete against one of the region's top shooting teams. STLCC held John Wood to 17 turnovers and forced multiple defensive stops to stay within striking distance until the final minutes.

Head Coach Terry Collins praised his team's effort:
"We played with energy and toughness today. Our guys battled on the boards and created opportunities. If we clean up a few details—especially at the free-throw line—we'll turn these close games into wins. The effort is there, and that's something we can build on heading into the break."

The Archers now look forward to regrouping and preparing for the second half of the season, where they aim to turn their competitive performances into victories.