Lady Eagles host South Division leader, Eagles look to improve in standings

MERIDIAN – The Meridian Community College basketball teams face off against divisional opponent Southwest Mississippi Community College Thursday night at Graham Gymnasium. Tipoff between the Lady Eagles and Lady Bears is scheduled for 6 p.m. while the Eagles and Bears play at 8 p.m. Both games can be heard on WMER 1390 AM and Comcast Cable Channel 12 with Sean Covich and Clinton Hales calling the action.

The game will mark the first of two meetings between the two schools on the season.
MCC will travel to Summit, MS Monday, Feb. 18 for a rematch with Southwest Mississippi.

Last season, both women’s teams picked up a win at home. Southwest took an 84-79 victory over the Lady Eagles in Summit, while MCC won 74-66 at Meridian in their last meeting.

The Lady Bears (12-2) will carry a South Division best 4-1 mark into Thursday’s match up with MCC (13-3). The Lady Eagles, 3-2 in the division, are in a tie for third place with Pearl River and are just one game behind Southwest.

MCC’s women are led by sophomore guard NaDosha Strickland who is averaging over 17 points per game. The pre-season All America Strickland scored a game-high 24 points in MCC’s win over Pearl River Monday night.

Last season, Southwest swept the men’s series, winning 85-75 over the Eagles in Summit, and then 84-69 in Meridian.

The Bears (5-10) will carry a 1-4 divisional record into Thursday’s match up with MCC. The Eagles (9-7) are in a tie for third place in the South Division, with a 3-2 record.

MCC’s men are led by sophomore guard Regis Huddleston who is averaging 17.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Huddleston and Otis Williams scored a team-high 16 points in MCC’s win over Pearl River Monday night.

Following Thursday’s game with Southwest Mississippi, MCC travels to Perkinston, MS to take on Mississippi Gulf Coast Monday, Jan. 28. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.