Baker lifts MCC with triple-double

By Chris Brennaman / Assistant Sports Editor

Six Eagles notched double-digit scoring games for Meridian Community College Saturday, but Brandon Baker trumped his teammates when he recorded his first career triple-double.

The sophomore scored a dozen points, blocked 10 shots and pulled down 10 boards in Meridian's 111-93 win over Miss-Lou conference foe Delgado Community College on homecoming at Graham Gymnasium.

"In the second half, Brandon played strong around the basket and gave us a good post presence," said MCC coach George Brooks.

After battling back-and-forth with Delgado through much of the first half, the Eagles took the lead for good with 3:56 on the first-half clock when Tommy Tillman knocked down the first of his three 3-pointers. The former Northeast Lauderdale standout finished the game with 20 points.

"Tommy played great for the third or fourth straight game," Brooks said. "He's taking a lot of pressure off of (point guard Otis Williams). They compliment each other real well right now."

After Tillman's trey, Mario Luckett, who also scored 20, put a little distance between Meridian and the visiting Dolphins as he totaled six of the next eight points.

The Eagles led by six at the break and Delgado was never closer than five in the second half as MCC pulled away.

Meridian reached the 100-point plateau for the third time this season in the win, which was the fourth in a row for the Eagles. The victory puts MCC in prime position to snag the Miss-Lou Conference regular-season crown if the Eagles beat Delgado again Thursday.

"We are playing better, but we have to stay hungry and keep trying to get better every time out," Brooks said. "We're not where we need to be yet.

"If we can get Luckett going to the basket and our post guys to keep playing, we have a chance to keep improving. That's all you want right now."

Williams connected on 4-of-7 from beyond the arc and led the Eagles with 24 points. Travis Thompson and Brandon Pettaway had 18 and 13, respectively.