Lady Eagles clinch playoff spot with win

By Jeff Edwards/assistant sports editor

The Meridian Community College Lady Eagles can breathe a little easier now.

They did what they had to do to get into the MACJC state playoffs, thrashing Mississippi Gulf Coast 75-58 on the road Thursday evening.

MCC finishes the regular season with a 15-10 overall record and an 8-6 record in South Division play.

With the win, the Lady Eagles clinched a spot in the playoffs, which will begin Monday. The brackets for the tournament will be released tomorrow.

MCC led 36-26 at halftime and stretched out their lead throughout the second half.

Meridian put five players in double figures, led by NaDosha Strickland with 21 points. Hilal Yildirim, Jennifer Wair and Holly Dial all scored 12 points while Anesia McBride talled 11 points in the win.

Janice Schonberg led Gulf Coast with 14 points.



Gulf Coast 94
Meridian men 85

The MCC men got a great night from Dexter LeFlore, but it wasn’t enough to offset a hot shooting Gulf Coast team as the Eagles fell in their final game of the season.

LeFlore scored 31 points, while Chris Leggett tallied 18 and Maurice Naylor chipped in 14 for the Eagles in the losing effort.

Henry Salter led Gulf Coast with 25 points.

Gulf Coast was up only 40-38 at halftime, but outscored Meridian 54-47 in the second half to take the win.

MCC finishes up its season with a 7-18 record.