1993

ECCC rallies t o win over GCCC, 1 ~0-95

By Ricky Hazel The Mendian Star

See Related story, Page 38

DECATUR- The last thing in the world Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College basket– ball coach Bob Weathers wanted to ee Thur day night was for his team to get off to a good start. As strange as that may sound, it was hue. The reason is historv. In the previous three meetings. between he Bulldogs and East Central .., ommunity College, the team tht1t got off to a fast start ended tn night on the short end of the b....~oreboard. The Warriors made that four •s raight by rallying off the carpet from a double-digit first-half deficit to record a 100-95 victory over Gulf Coast. The victory was East Central's 11th straight, and sends the Warriors into the Christmas break at 11-1. In the women's game the upset-minded Lady Bulldogs rode the incredible play of Roxanne Anderson. But the Lady Warriors proved to be too stl·ong and pulled away from Gulf Coast for an 87- 67 victory. Nationally-ranked East Central closed the first half of its season with a perfect 12-0 record. The Warriors will return to action the second weekend of January when they host the East Central Classic. Gulf Coast (4-3) came out smoking in the men's game. Rober t Wilkerson opened the game with a dunk off the opening tip. A three-pointer by Craig Stallings and a jumper by Wilkerson gave the Bulldogs a quick 7-0 lead. It was just the kind of start Weathers had hoped he wouldn't see, but it didn't bother ECCC coach Marty Cooper at all.

around with his body, not his anns or his hands, but the results are the same. He is a big, strong guy and he j ust walks into the lane and pushes people out of the way." Mann's performance at the end of the first half was just a hint of what was to come. The second half belonged to the :.ophomore. He poured in 22 second-half points by pounding the offensive boards and by beating his man in the lane. For the game Mann finished with 33 points and 18 rebounds, eight off the offensive glass. ''We tried to be more aware of where Marcus was in the second half," Cooper said. "Even though they were in a zone, if you don't have one guy who is responsible for him he can kind of lose you. It only takes a second for him to get open and score." Mann put the Warriors on top for the first time, 56-52, early in the second half with consecutive mside baskets, but Gulf Coast was not about to go away. The Bulldogs reclaimed the lead at the 9:56 mark on a jwnper by Ira Newby. The lead changed hands seven times before a pair of Coleman free throws with 4:36 left put East Central on top to stay. The Warriors appeared to be ready to blow the game open when Coleman broke free for a dunk to put ECCC up 88-82 with 2:23left, but GulfCoast made one more run. A basket by Gulf Coast's Ricky Evans with 22 seconds left cut the ECCC lead to 95-93. but Coleman completed a three-point play seconds later and then ~!ann closed the door with a short Jumper at the final horn.

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