Published: November 19, 2008 02:48 pm            

Dale's 27 lifts ECCC past EMCC

NEWTON — Sophomore guard Mystee Dale pumped in a game-high 27 points and led the East Central Community College Lady Warriors to a 56-45 win over longtime rival East Mississippi Community College Monday night at Keyes T. Currie Coliseum on the Scooba campus.

“She played really well tonight,” ECCC coach Bill Smith said of the Choctaw Central product following the non-division matchup.

The fourth-year head mentor was equally as proud of the entire squad, which avenged an earlier 62-60 setback in Decatur.

“This was the best team effort we’ve had all season,” he stated. “This was a big win for us over a very good team.”

With the victory, East Central improved to 4-2 on the young season, while the Lady Lions dropped from the unbeaten ranks and fell to 4-1.

In men’s action, the Warriors were unable to sweep the season series and were outscored 86-55 by the host Lions.

East Central, which posted a 73-63 decision over the Lions earlier in Decatur, were led by sophomore forward James Starks of Meridian, who had 13 points and 12 rebounds.

The Warriors evened their record at 3-3 following the non-division battle while East Mississippi improved to 2-3.

Next up for East Central squads are road games at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville on Thursday, Nov. 20; Enterprise-Ozark Community College in Enterprise, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 22; and Itawamba Community College in Fulton on Monday, Nov. 24.

The Lady Warriors and Warriors resume play following the Thanksgiving holidays by hosting Northeast on Thursday, Dec 4. Game times are 6 and 8 p.m.

        

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