MCC Lady Eagles lose in OT, Eagles pick up 4th win over rival teams

MCC women 93
Jones 96 (overtime)

The Meridian Community College Lady Eagles had not one, but two opportunities to get a big home win over Jones County Junior College and put themselves in a prime position to make the MACJC playoffs Thursday night.

But both times, they threw it away. MCC had possession of the ball at both the end of regulation and overtime but turned it over each time in a 96-93 loss to Jones at Graham Gymnasium Thursday night.

The Lady Eagles had a chance to win in regulation; taking over possession with 7.1 seconds left after Pauline Love’s basket tied the game at 85. Holly Dial brought the ball up the court and tried to get the ball to Hilal Yildirim on the wing for a shot at the buzzer. However, the pass was high and went off Yildirim’s hands and out of bounds with 0.8 seconds left.

Overtime held a similar script, as Jones’ Rosemary Green hit a basket in the lane to give the Lady Bobcats a 94-93 lead with 17.7 seconds left.

MCC’s NaDosha Strickland, who had scored all eight of the Lady Eagles’ overtime points and finished the game with 23, tried to drive the lane with time ticking down but lost control of the ball. Green picked it up and drove to the basket for a layup with 4.1 seconds on the clock.

Dial’s desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark and Meridian was left to absorb yet another excruciating loss.

“We’ve got the best player in the state (Strickland) that has the ball in her hands,” MCC coach Hilary Allen said. “But she wasn’t able to make a play for us tonight.”

It was MCC’s second home overtime loss this season. The Lady Eagles fell 95-86 in OT against East Central on Jan. 11 and also fell to the Lady Warriors 94-90 Monday, losing a 11-point lead in the final 9 minutes.

Instead of breaking the team down, Allen thinks the close losses can build its confidence.

“The fact that we’re playing close can give us confidence,” Allen said. “We can play with anyone in the state, home or away. We’re playing close, overtime games and playing well.”

MCC led 42-37 at halftime but was pounded on the boards in the second half, especially by Love. The Jones standout was held scoreless in the first half due to foul trouble, but roared back in the second half with 20 points.

She also collected 18 rebounds, and Jones outrebounded Meridian 51-39 as a team.

“We’re not very big and we don’t rebound well because of that,” Allen said. “The other team gets two, three, four or five shots sometimes. That was the difference in the game. They got numerous baskets off of offensive rebounds. We didn’t get rebounds when we needed to.”

Jones coach Sandra Sumrall said Love knew she had to get with it in the second half.

“She got into foul trouble in the first half and got frustrated,” Sumrall said. “But she knew that it was time to play ball in the second half and got some great rebounds and baskets for us. Close to the end, we finally took care of our business.”

Meridian fell to 12-9 overall and 5-5 in South Division play while Jones improved to 16-5 overall and 7-3 in division games.

“Every game is crucial,” Allen said. “We’ve got to win games but the league is so balanced, there’s no must-wins.”

MCC men 73
Jones 63

Dexter Leflore scored 30 points to lead the Eagles to a 10-point win over Jones, only their second South Division win of the season.

MCC trailed 38-34 at halftime but outscored the Bobcats 39-25 in the second half.

Leflore led the charge but was assisted by both Chris Leggett and Keith James, who scored 16 and 11 points, respectively.

Jones County was led by Jonathan Woodland with 15 points and LeBarton Jones with 14.

Meridian improved to 5-17 overall and 2-8 in division play with the win. Both the Eagles and Lady Eagles will be back in action Monday when they travel to take on Copiah-Lincoln.

The Bobcats are now 1-9 in division play.