March 9, 2017
The East Central Community College men’s basketball team could not hold on to an early lead against Northeast Mississippi Community College and was eliminated from the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament 70-64 March 8 at Mississippi College in Clinton.
Northeast, the defending NJCAA Region 23 champions, also defeated the Warriors in last week’s MACJC State Tournament.
The Warriors never trailed in the first half, leading by as many as 13 points. East Central took a 38-31 lead into the locker room.
Northeast made a comeback to close their deficit quickly, taking the lead for good after going up 50-48 with 10:13 left in the game.
Leading the Warriors offensively was sophomore point guard Jaylon Bardley of New Hope High School with 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Also in double-digit scoring was sophomore center Shaquille Benson of Hahnville (La.) High School with 14 points and Cameron Diggs of Blount (Mobile, Ala.) High School with 12 points.
The Warriors finish their season 14-11 overall.
