December 7, 2016
The East Central Community College Warriors fell 76-62 in their South Division basketball opener in Summit Monday, Dec. 5, against the defending MACJC State Champion Southwest Mississippi Community College Bears.
With the loss, the Warriors moved to 4-3 on the season and 0-1 in the South Division. Southwest improved to 6-2 overall and 1-0 in the division. It was the fifth straight win for Southwest.
The game was back and forth in the first half until Southwest went on an 11-0 run to grab an eight-point lead at intermission. The Warriors trailed SMCC by eight at the intermission.
The Warriors closed the gap to four points five minutes into the second half, but could get no closer the rest of the contest.
Three Warriors hit double-digit scoring for the evening. Sophomore forward Tonzell Handy of Lanier High School put up 11 points and was the leading rebounder with 10. Freshmen Jaquan Dotson of Neshoba Central High School and Cameron Diggs of Blount (Ala.) High School added 11 points each.
Southwest was able to convert on 31 of 38 free throws, which was a big factor in the game.
East Central returns to action at home in Decatur Thursday, Dec. 8, against Northeast Mississippi Community College in Brackeen-Wood Gymnasium. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
