MCC Falls To Pensacola

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Lady Eagles were hoping that its first game of the new year would be an upset victory over the number five ranked Pensacola Lady Pirates, but MCC would fall just short in their first game of 2012. Pensacola was able to hold off a furious comeback by MCC in the final minutes to escape with 67-64 win over the Lady Eagles at Graham Gymnasium Thursday night. The Lady Pirates entered the contest ranked fifth according to the latest NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Poll, but Meridian fought hard throughout much of the contest.

Pensacola (15-1) led 36-30 at the end of the first half, but MCC came out shooting the ball well to open the second half of action. Sophomore Chasity Kearney opened the half with a pair of baskets and Gelese Lampton added a pair of baskets to give MCC a 38-36 with 18:52 left in the game. The Lady Pirates answered the furious run by MCC by taking one of its largest leads of the game at 49-40 with 15:45 left in the second half. Ronika Ransford scored eight points in the 11-2 run for the Lady Pirates.

Pensacola built its lead to double figures on several occasions, but the Lady Eagles closed the gap in the final moments to have an opportunity at the win. MCC cut the lead to two points in the final minute of action, but Pensacola would be able to hold off the Lady Eagles on several possessions down the stretch to take the three-point win.

Kearney finished the game with 14 points for MCC and Norianna Haynes ended the night with 15 points. Meridian dropped its overall record to 5-8 with the loss to the Lady Pirates. MCC will return to action this Saturday on the road against Northeast Mississippi Community College. The Lady Eagles will play at 2 p.m. and the MCC men will play its first game of the new year against Northeast at 4 p.m.

The next scheduled home game for MCC will be January 12 against East Mississippi Community College. The women’s game will begin at 6 p.m. and the men will tip-off at 8 p.m.