March 1, 2017
The East Central Community College men’s basketball team fell 86-69 against the Northeast Mississippi Community College Tigers in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges State Tournament Tuesday, Feb. 28, on the campus of Jones County Junior College in Ellisville.
East Central entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed from the MACJC South Division. Northeast is the No. 1 seed from the North Division.
East Central is now 14-10 overall on the season. Northeast is 18-6.
The Warriors were playing without leading scorer Tonzell Handy who was suspended for one game due to two technical fouls in the last regular season game against Hinds Community College Feb. 23.
ECCC held the Tigers close in the first few minutes of the first half, but Northeast led 49-31 at the intermission.
The Warriors made a few comebacks in the second half, cutting their deficit to single digits before the Tigers quickly extended their lead with back-to-back three pointers.
Northeast shot 57 percent from the floor and 50 percent in three pointers.
Leading ECCC scorers was freshman Jaquan Dotson of Neshoba Central High School with 19 points and nine rebounds. Also, in double-digits for the Warriors was sophomore Jaylon Bardley of New Hope High School with 15 points.
The East Central men’s basketball team moves on to play in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament scheduled on the campus of Mississippi College March 7-10, 2017.
ECCC will face the Northeast Tigers for a rematch in the Region 23 Tournament at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 8.
The Lady Warriors also qualified to play in the Region 23 Tournament. Their opponent will be determined after the completion of the MACJC State Tournament.
