By Staff
SPLITTING THE DEFENSE Meridian's Marquissia Mack (middle) battles her way through Coahoma defenders to find the basket. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian star
By Robby Atkinson / staff writer
Nov. 13, 2003
The Meridian Community College basketball teams enjoyed a clean sweep Wednesday night at the Ivy Sports Center, but it wasn't very easy.
The MCC women took a come-from-behind win in overtime to start the 2003-04 season against the Coahoma Community College Lady Tigers 64-61. The MCC men also provided a little drama by taking a slim 73-71 win over Coahoma. The Eagles remained undefeated at 4-0 with the victory.
The Lady Eagles return to action this Saturday at home against Georgia Perimeter. The men will hit the hardwood next Monday on the road at East Mississippi.
MCC (women) 64
Coahoma 61
Sometimes in the game of basketball it feels good to just get a win. The Lady Eagles fought off poor shooting and turnovers to take an overtime win against the Lady Tigers.
Meridian finally found its groove late in the first half by going on a 12-0 run to take a 30-22 lead, with 3:32 remaining in the half. Coahoma cut the lead to 33-26 at the end of the first half with a pair of baskets from Christi Henderson.
The second half started off great for the Lady Eagles with two big baskets from Jawanda Huggins to push the lead to 39-28.
MCC held the lead for the majority of the second half, but Coahoma took the lead 53-51 with 2:01 left in the game, with a pair of shots by Jessica Cooley. The Lady Eagles finally found a way to score in the final minute with a basket and a pair of free throws from Silvo Harris to pull out in front 55-51, with 1:06 left.
Coahoma got two free throws from Cooley and a last second shot from Veronica Moore to push the game into overtime with the teams tied at 55.
MCC fought through a difficult overtime period and got the go-ahead basket from Stephanie Mosley to take the three-point win.
Alford and Harris led the way with 12 points apiece for MCC, and Danielle Cooper added 11 points. Moore led the Lady Tigers with 15 points, and Henderson chipped in 13 points.
MCC (men) 73
Coahoma 71
MCC held a huge 12-point lead at the end of the first half, but the Eagles had to play catch up in the second half to claim the two-point victory over the Tigers.
MCC opened the game by shooting the ball from the perimeter with great ease to take an 8-4 lead. Jamall Edmonson came right out and hit a pair of three-point shots to give the Eagles the advantages.
The Eagles held the lead throughout the entire first half, but Coahoma kept the game close at times. MCC went on a 14-0 scoring run to close out the first half with a 40-28 edge. The run was highlighted by a dunk from Mecose Todd and a pair of three pointers from Edmonson.
Coahoma came out of the locker room on fire and eventually took the lead with 4:42 left in the second by a score of 61-58. MCC found a way to pull the game out in the closing minute due to a three pointer from Todd and clutch free throw shooting to take the narrow win over the Tigers.
MCC was led in scoring by Edmonson with 28 points, and Todd added in 13 points to pace the Eagles. Byron Carter led the Tigers with 22 points in the loss.