Lady Eagles fall one game short of State Title

(FULTON) - Meridian Community College’ bid for a state basketball championship came up one game short, as the Lady Eagles fell to host Itawamba 77-67 Thursday night in the MACJC State Tournament finals in Fulton.

The No. 18 ranked Lady Eagles, who fell to 23-5, will now be the No. 2 seed for next week’s NJCAA Region 23 Tournament in Clinton.

Thursday at Itawamba, the host Lady Indians jumped to a 38-30 halftime lead on the way to a state crown.

Courtney Cannon scored 17 points for ICC, which improved to 20-8 and earned a No. 1 seed for next week’s Region 23 tourney; which will be held at Mississippi College in Clinton.

All American guard NaDosha Strickland pumped in a game-high 25 points in the loss for MCC, while Meridian freshman Tiara Parker scored 13.

MCC coach Hilary Allen said his team will square off against South Division foe Copiah-Lincoln in Region 23 quarterfinal action on Monday (time TBA).

Southwest, Holmes, East Central, Pearl River, and Southern Shreveport, LA round out the women’s field.

MCC’s men, who are 16-11, also qualified for the Region 23 tourney and will find out time for their first round game later today.