MCC Basketball Splits Miss-Lou Conference Games Against Delgado

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Lady Eagles were able to battle back and take another dramatic victory to open Miss-Lou Conference action against Delgado Community College. The Lady Eagles trailed for much of the game, but were able to secure a 63-57 victory over the Lady Dolphins in overtime. The game was the second game MCC had played this week in which the contest was forced to an overtime period. The Lady Eagles defeated East Mississippi earlier in the week 48-44 in overtime.

Delgado led 26-19 at the end of the first half, but MCC slowly started to chip away at the lead and found a way to take a 54-50 lead with 1:46 left in the game. Delgado was able to tie the game at 54-54 on a pair of jump shots by Ali Sheppard, but MCC would have the ball in the closing seconds. The Lady Eagles came up empty in its final possession of regulation, but the overtime session would be a different story. MCC opened the overtime period on a 6-0 run and were able to hold off Delgado for the victory.

Ashtin McNichols, a former Newton High School star, led the way in scoring for MCC with 20 points. McNichols scored 12 points in the second half off the bench and scored a pair of baskets in the overtime period. Former Meridian High standout Reyada Stinner finished the game with 16 points, while Gelese Lampton and Victoria Stewart ended the game with 10 points apiece.

Andralina Marshell led the way in scoring for Delgado with 14 points and Sheppard ended the game with 13 points in the loss for the Lady Dolphins.

MCC (11-5, 1-0) will return to action Wednesday night against Southern Shreveport in another key Miss-Lou Conference contest. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start at the Graham Gymnasium. Delgado (10-7, 0-1) will return to action at home Wednesday night to face LSU-Eunice at 6 p.m.

Delgado (men) 82

MCC 73

The Eagles couldn’t secure the sweep on the night by falling to the Dolphins in men’s action by nine points. MCC trailed Delgado at the end of the first half by a score of 43-35, but couldn’t draw closer than six points in the second half.

Aubrey Humphrey led the way in scoring for MCC with 19 points and William Byrd followed with 14 points. Corey Brister added 14 points, while T.J. Jones added 13 points in the home loss for the Eagles.

Tyson Magee led the charge for the Dolphins with 20 points and Melvin Davis had a solid scoring night with 18 points.

MCC (0-18, 0-1) will return to Miss-Lou Conference action Wednesday night at home against Southern Shreveport beginning at 8 p.m. Delgado (11-9, 1-0) will return to action January 19 at home against Baton Rouge Community College.