January 19, 2022
The East Central Community College Warriors dropped to 4-7 overall on the year on Tuesday night, Jan. 18, and to 2-3 in conference play after the Meridian Eagles picked up a 60-42 victory. MCC improves to 11-4, 3-3.
The Warriors had glimpses of strong offensive production Tuesday night as the team came out with a 7-0 lead through the first three minutes of play. The hot-handed shooting slowed throughout the first half and at the six-and-a-half-minute mark, the contest was tied at 20-all. A pair of free throws from MCC's Reubon Kelly put the Eagles on top and started a 22-3 scoring run that put MCC in control for the remainder of the game.
The Warriors responded to the MCC lead and cut the advantage down to 13-points on two occasions both after big ECCC three-pointers. The first came midway through the second frame when Demajion Topps (Winona) nailed a deep three and the other came with just three minutes remaining as Christopher Keys (Quitman) hit a long shot. Both baskets gave ECCC some momentum but ultimately were not enough as the Eagles won, 60-42.
Topps finished the night with a team-high 19 points after rattling home four three-pointers, while David Berry (Mendenhall) was next in the scoring column with eight. Keys led the way on the glass for the Warriors as he hauled in 11 rebounds, nine of which were defensive boards. Keys also posted team-best three assists. Makeem Roberts led MCC with 17 points, while Zebadiah Kirkwood scored 12. Kirkwood and Randarius Hughes both posted eight rebounds, while Christian Terrell had a game-high nine assists.
The Warriors are on the road this Thursday, Jan. 20, as the team travels to Perkinston to take the Gulf Coast Bulldogs (11-4, 3-3). Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game can be watched live at www.livestream.com/mgcccbulldogs/events/10085537.
