Big Second Half Lifts Collin to Victory
Plano - Collin County freshman Trevonta Robertson had his high point total of the year, scoring a game-high 23 points against visiting New Mexico. Robinson shot 8-for-12 on the night including 6-for-7 from the free-throw line as Collin County defeated New Mexico 79-64.
Shooting guard Liam O'Reilly added 17 points off the bench (all in the second half) for Collin as the 6-foot-2 sophomore drilled 4-out-5 three-pointers, all in the.
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Down one at the half, 30-29, Collin head coach Jim Sigona mixed few things up to start the second half.
"I thought we played pretty hard, and the energy was good," said Sigona. "We could have had a lead in the first half, but we kept turning the ball over which led to easy baskets for them. But overall I thought our kids competed."
"As a team, we played the best basketball we have all year," added Sigona, who is in his 17th year as head coach of the Cougars. "The guys were in tuned with each other, and everyone was encouraging and positive with one another, and it showed in tonight's win."
The Cougars finished the game 9-for-18 (50%) from behind the arc and 8-for-11 in the second half.
"When you start making shots, it makes your defense better. We changed by running man and then back to the zone, and we did a great job of grabbing the long rebounds and forcing them to shoot long shots. All five players on the floor went after the ball once it left [New Mexico's] hands."
Sigona calls Robinson the team's "most improved freshman."
"Trevonta is playing great and playing with energy, attacking the rim. He's making shots and is really good at getting to the rim. And defensively he's quick enough and athletic enough to compete."
Robertson comments on the team win and his performance.
"This win is because coach Sigona instills toughness and hard work," said Robertson. "My teammates gave me the ball in the right positions and had confidence in me to get the job done."
"This was a great win," said O'Reilly. "We struggled in some of our games lately, so today was a quality win against a tough team from the West [conference]. We played great together and played hard for forty minutes."
New Mexico received 19 points from sophomore Tyler Blount, and he hit four three-pointers. Incarnate Word signee Jalin Hart finished with 12 points.
New Mexico went 9-for30 from behind the arc in the 15 point loss Saturday to Collin.
Collin County heads into the semester break 8-7, while New Mexico 10-5, and 1-1 in conference play.