By By Shawn Wansley/staff writer
Jan. 23, 2002
ELLISVILLE Jones Junior College held a 58-57 lead over the East Central Community Lady Warriors with 5:54 remaining here Tuesday night at the Bobcat Gymnasium.
But it was all East Central from there on out as the Lady Warriors posted a 74-63 victory.
In the men's game, Jones took a 76-64 win.
JCJC women's coach Sandra Sumrall said her team was in position to win, but could not convert.
East Central got off to a solid start, leading 14-3 six minutes deep into the game. But JCJC steadily chipped into the deficit and took a 34-33 lead with 37 seconds left in the half on a Brittany Sumrall 15-footer. The game was knotted 35-35 at the break.
There were seven lead changes in the second half, but the Lady Warriors went up for good with 5:32 left when Lori Cumberland scored to make it 59-58. That started a 15-0 Lady Warrior run which put the game away.
Nikki Lacour topped East Central with 24 points. Cumberland and Christina Ford added nine each.
Demesha Chambers paced Jones with 20 points, while Kimberly White added 15 and Sumrall had 8.
East Central, 8-5 overall and 2-2 in South Division play, hosts Pearl River Thursday. Jones, 5-9 overall and 1-4 in the league, goes to Co-Lin Thursday.
Jones men 76
East Central 64
Nick Page scored 22 points, including five 3-pointers, to pace the Jones Junior College Bobcats to the 12-point win.
East Central's James Denson scored with 7:01 left in the first half to give the Warriors its final lead of the game at 16-15. JCJC went on a 9-0 run, capped by a lay-in by Rashaune Walters on a lob pass from Marcus Johnson at the 3:57 mark of the first half, making it 24-16. The Bobcats were up 26-20 at halftime.
JCJC was up 44-30 in the middle of the second half when the Warriors rallied. East Central got within 49-46 with 8:16 remaining on a Denson bucket.
But Page nailed back-to-back treys to give the Bobcats a 55-46 lead with 7:13 left. JCJC led twice by as many 15 points in the final minutes before coasting to the victory.
Johnson was the only other Bobcat in double figures with 12 points. Corey Hornsby had 28 points for East Central, while Denson added 12 and Winfred Craig had 10.
JCJC, 7-6 overall and 3-2 in the division, visits Co-Lin Thursday and hosts Meridian Community College Monday at 7 p.m. The Bobcats entertain Delgado (La.) Community College Tuesday in a makeup game, with the women's game starting at 6 p.m.