MCC Basketball Sweeps Past Hinds

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College basketball squads were in much need to reverse its fortunes in the win column on Thursday night and both did just that.  MCC came away with a much needed sweep by grabbing a pair of victories over Hinds Community College in junior college basketball action at the Graham Gymnasium. The MCC women snapped its five-game losing streak with its win, while the MCC men snapped its six-game losing streak in the final game of the evening.

Both teams will return to action on Tuesday (January 19) with another home conference doubleheader against Jones County Junior College. The women’s contest is slated to begin at 5:30 and the men will follow with its scheduled game at 7:30.

The Lady Eagles got the night started in grand fashion with a 78-70 victory over Hinds to collect its first MACJC victory of the season. The MCC women moved its overall record to 2-11 and 1-3 in MACJC South Division play. Hinds dropped its overall mark to 6-7 and 0-4 in MACJC South Division play. MCC got off to a red hot start by going on a 12-0 run and never looked back in securing the home victory.

Former Meridian High star Kashari Gordon led the way in the scoring department for MCC with 21 points, while Adrianna James added 18 points off the bench in the effort for the Lady Eagles. Sophomore Maia McCullum also turned in a solid performance off the bench for Meridian with 12 points and LaShonda Cousin chipped in with nine.

Areleatha Gipson led Hinds in scoring with 12 points, while Isheer Davis and Alexia Williams each finished the game with 11 points apiece.

The MCC men completed the home sweep in very impressive fashion later in the evening with a 78-57 victory over Hinds. The Eagles improved its overall record to 5-8 and 1-3 in MACJC South Division play. Hinds dropped its overall record for the 2015-2016 season to 4-9 and 1-3 in conference action.

MCC trailed Hinds 40-38 at the end of the first half, but pulled away in the second half thanks to a solid night from Devin Paicely-Smith. The Waynesboro, MS native finished the game with a game-high 23 points, while Ken’Darrius Hamilton notched 13 points in the home victory. Denarrius Gray and Demarius Calvert each added 10 points off the bench as well for Meridian.

Trojuan White led Hinds in scoring with 17 points and Bobby Powell added 11 points in the road loss.