Fifth ranked Indians too strong for MCC’s men

(FULTON, Miss) - The men’s basketball team from Meridian Community College has pulled off some mighty big wins in the second half of the 2007-08 season.

But finding a victory Wednesday night against the nation’s No. 5 ranked team on its home floor proved too tall a task for the Eagles.

Homestanding and fifth-ranked Itawamba jumped out to a double-digit lead early and coasted to an 82-63 win over Meridian in an MACJC State Tournament semifinal contest in Fulton.

The loss knocked the Eagles (16-11) out of the state tourney, but they still have qualified for next week’s NJCAA Region 23 Tournament. Brackets for the event, which will be held at Mississippi College in Clinton, will be announced Friday.

Wednesday night, MCC fell behind 43-28 in the first half and could not catch up, despite a game-high 23 points from Bay Springs product Regis Huddleston.

Patrick McCurtis added 18 points form MCC, while Mario Luckett scored 11, Travis Thompson six and Otis Williams five.

The host Indians will meet Copiah-Lincoln in tonight’s state title game at 7:45 p.m.