The East Mississippi Community College men’s basketball team enjoyed an impressive weekend in Indiana, defeating traditional powerhouse Vincennes University and taking third-ranked John A. Logan College to the wire at the McDonald’s Classic in Vincennes, Indiana.
After claiming a commanding 64-50 road win over host Vincennes on Friday, EMCC led John A. Logan most of the game the following night before dropping a hard-fought 80-76 decision.
Against Vincennes, the Lions utilized their full-court press from the opening tip-off to force some early turnovers and convert them into easy baskets. Their defensive intensity and hot 3-point shooting helped create a 15-point cushion at 23-8 midway through the first half.
EMCC made 6 3-pointers during the first 20 minutes and held Vincennes to 9-of-24 first-half shooting to grab a 36-22 halftime lead.
After intermission, EMCC stretched the lead to 42-22 three minutes into the second half on a Jakorie Smith 3-pointer followed by Chris Newell’s three-point play. The visitors maintained their 20-point advantage during most of the second half, extending it to 64-40 with 3:36 remaining before Vincennes scored the final 10 points of the game.
Blake Butler led all scorers with a career-high 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field for the Lions. Smith followed with 11 points and 7 rebounds, while Nick Walker added 8 points and 12 rebounds for the Lions.
The Lions picked up Saturday where they had left off Friday, jumping out to an early 19-6 lead against John A. Logan College. Smith’s putback basket gave EMCC its biggest lead at 36-21 with seven minutes remaining in the opening half.
But the Vols, powered by NCAA Division I transfers Sean East (Bradley) and Cobie Barnes (Indiana State), answered with eight straight points to cut the deficit to 36-29 by the 6:11 mark. The margin was 46-35 at halftime.
Along with making 17 of 26 (65%) first-half field goals, including 4 of 5 3-point shots, the Lions connected on 8 of 11 (73%) free throws during the opening 20 minutes.
John A. Logan chipped away at EMCC’s double-digit lead throughout the second half, and Barnes’ basket with 5:50 left to play gave the Vols their first lead at 64-63. Two more lead changes followed before the Volunteers took control over the final four minutes.
East’s pull-up jumper and Tujauntae Williams’ three-point play put Logan in front for good. The Volunteers sealed the win by making 9 of 10 free throws over the final 1:40 to build a late seven-point lead. Pittman’s 3-pointer at the buzzer accounted for the final margin.
Smith (18) and Butler (15) paced five Lions in double figures. Walker registered his eighth career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Pittman and JaQuevias Tarvin added 10 points apiece for the Lions.
For the Volunteers, East (34) and Barnes (25) combined for 59 of John A. Logan’s 80 points, while East was 11 of 15 from the line.
EMCC (3-2) returns to MACCC competition Thursday by playing host to Hinds in a 6 p.m. tipoff at Keyes T. Currie Coliseum on the Scooba campus.
Women’s basketball
EMCC hands Itawamba first loss
The EMCC women’s basketball team got back on track Thursday with a 59-56 home win over previously unbeaten Itawamba Community College at EMCC’s Keyes T. Currie Coliseum.
Bouncing back from consecutive road losses to Coahoma and Northwest Mississippi, the Lions overcame an early deficit against ICC to force five lead changes and three ties before establishing control during the second half.
After trimming ICC’s early six-point advantage to a single point at 17-16 by the end of the first quarter, EMCC benefitted from a low-scoring (12-7) second quarter to take a 28-24 halftime lead.
The Lions scored 11 unanswered points to grab a double-figure lead at 43-32 after three.
The Indians struggled from the field throughout the second half, and EMCC maintained a double-digit advantage until the last two minutes of the game. The Lions misfired on five free throw attempts down the stretch to help the visitors pull within three points by the final buzzer.
Markiema Lancaster led EMCC with 13 points, Kyunna Thomas recorded her third double-double in four games with 10 points and 12 rebounds, and Shakira Wilson added 12 points, including shooting 3 for 3 from beyond the arc.
The Lions will play on the road twice during the coming week. After taking on Meridian Community College in a 6 p.m. Monday contest at Graham Gymnasium, EMCC will meet Northeast Mississippi in a 5:30 p.m. Thursday game in Booneville.
The next home game for the EMCC women will be Nov. 29 against Shelton State.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion