Men's Basketball

MBB: Hawks Take Sole Possession of First with Win

CHICAGO — Joaquin Dixon poured in a game-high 30 points on 9-of-14 shooting with 11-of-12 from the free-throw line, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals, and Denyell Rush added 18 points on three 3-pointers for Malcolm X as the Hawks defeated Olive-Harvey College 103-88 on Thursday night.

Karim Lebon-Mohamed contributed 17 points on efficient 7-of-13 shooting with a 3-pointer, and Arnas Samaitis tallied 11 points, eight rebounds and six blocks for Malcolm X, who led 45-35 at halftime and pulled away with a 58-53 second half while shooting 57.1 percent from the field and blocking 11 shots as a team.

Pape Dieng grabbed seven rebounds with 10 points, Gabe Jackson provided nine points and four assists, and Sam Vil chipped in six points and five assists off the bench.

For Olive-Harvey, Marcus Browder led with 17 points, five assists and six rebounds, Yabsa Nydiane added 16 points on three 3-pointers with five rebounds, and Justin Jones scored 14 points on two 3-pointers. Jayden Ford contributed 13 points and nine rebounds with four blocks, and Terrence Shannon tallied eight points, seven rebounds and four assists in a solid effort that kept the game competitive early. The Panthers shot 51.7 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc but couldn't overcome the Hawks' defensive pressure.

The win moves the Hawks into sole possession of first place in the City Colleges of Chicago standings.  The victory also avenges their only conference loss against the same Panthers team last week.