Published: November 20, 2007 03:02 pm            

ECCC Lady Warriors cip EMCC to remain unbeaten; Warriors fall

DECATUR — A 17-0 first-half run provided a much-needed boost for the East Central Community College Lady Warriors who held on to defeat rival East Mississippi Community College 58-55 Thursday night in the Brackeen-Wood Physical Education Building in Decatur.

East Central, which trailed 17-9 prior to the scoring spurt, grabbed a 26-21 halftime advantage and continued its lead throughout the second half in improving to 6-0 under third-year head coach Bill Smith.

The visiting Lady Lions made the non-division contest interesting in the game’s final moments thanks to a three-point basket by Kottia White of Jackson Murrah, which closed the scoring gap to 56-53 with 19.2 seconds to play.

Tanesha Brown, a sophomore guard from Jackson Provine, gave EC its margin of victory by making two of four free throw attempts over the next 14 seconds.

The Lady Lions had possession in the game’s final seconds but drove the ball in the lane instead of attempting a possible game-tying three-pointer.

Brown led EC in scoring with 17 points. Other point makers were Rashima Jenkins, a product of Airline High School in Bossier City, La., 10; Tawaytha Evans and Chotsani Henderson, both of Newton, seven each; Alisa Matlock of Carthage and Mystee Dale of Choctaw Central, six each; Jordan Patterson of Oak Hill Academy, four; and Alisha McAfee of Northwest Rankin, one.

During his post-game interview, Smith was pleased with the victory but disappointed with his team’s performance.

“It wasn’t a very well-played game on our part,” Smith stated. “We were just fortunate to make one more basket than they did.”

He noted that his team’s depth was probably a key to victory.

“We played a lot more people and might have worn them down just a little bit. It’s a three-point win and we’ll take it any we get it.”

East Mississippi, which fell to 1-5, was led by Sanitra Bush of Starkville, who had 15 points.

The Lady Warriors recorded their second defeat of East Mississippi this season, having defeated the Lady Lions 96-87 earlier in Scooba.

In the men’s contest, East Central’s rally fell short as the Lions escaped with a 96-90 decision, avenging an earlier 70-57 setback to the Warriors in Scooba.

EC, which trailed 47-32 at the break, narrowed the Lion advantage to 94-88 with 27.8 seconds remaining but could get no closer as both squads are now 3-3 on the young season.

Sophomore forward Marquis Wilson, who hails from Delhi, La., was the top EC scorer with 25 points. Other point makers were Josh Luckett of Carthage, 15; Marico Jones of Forest, 10; Brandon Shelton of Newton, eight; Rod Lofton of Forest, seven; Devarius “Scooter” Walker of Newton County and Karl Robinson of Jackson Jim Hill, six each; Dre Dickinson of Meridian, five; Craig Pruitt of Newton County and Darron Maxtion, a product of Sparkman HS in Harvest, Ala., three each; and Justin Brown of South Leake, two.

Jarvis Hill of Starkville led EMCC with 16 points.

The Warriors, led by second-year head coach Maurice Bowie, travel to Fayette, Ala., Saturday afternoon for a rematch with Beville State, a team EC defeated 75-69 earlier in the season.

The Warriors and Lady Warriors will take a break from action during the Thanksgiving holidays and resume competition Monday, Nov. 26 against visiting Itawamba Community College. Game times are 6 and 8 p.m. in the Brackeen-Wood Physical Education Building.

        

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