STERLING, CO – The Laramie County Community College men's basketball team came back from a double digit first half deficit to take down Otero College in the Region IX Crossover games, 87-85 on Friday night at Northeastern Junior College.

The game was a battle just as expected in the first half and the Rattlers were able to pull by the first media timeout with an 11-8 lead on the Golden Eagle men. Otero pushed the lead out of the timeout to 21-14 and from there the two teams settled into trading points, with the Golden Eagles picked up an and-one from Brandon Tchouya to get within five, 30-25.

With three minutes to go, LCCC picked up the lead 35-34 and by the half it remained a one possession game with Otero leading 42-40.

The Golden Eagles held the lead in the second half after the opening media timeout, but it remained a tight 57-55 affair and as the clock ticked under seven minutes, the Golden Eagles broke a 70 all tie with a Pedro Ellery three that started a run to push ahead 75-70 with 6 minutes left.

Otero was only down by two with one minute to go when Kamrohn Roundtree stole a ball under the hoop and pushed the lead back to a two-possession game at 85-81 putting pressure on the Rattlers for the final 60 seconds.

LCCC made enough free throws down the stretch to hold off the Rattlers and the Golden Eagles picked up their eighth win, 87-85.

Jordan Reed was the top scorer for LCCC in the game, posting 30 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists.

Davion Butler added 17 and Roundtree finished with 16 points.

LCCC only shot 42 percent from the field but forced 16 turnovers to limit the shot attempts from Otero despite the Rattlers shooting 50 percent in the game. The Golden Eagles only turned the ball over eight times for a season low.

The Golden Eagles return to Sterling on Saturday for their second Region IX Crossover game against the host Northeastern Junior College Plainsmen. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm and more information on the game can be found at www.golccc.com.