2004

ECCC sweeps past MCC

By Tony Krausz assistant sports editor

The No. 17 East Central Community College women's basketball team held off an early second-half surge by Meridian Community CoUege, and the ECCC men's squad hit a late basket, as the teams from Decatur swept MCC on Monday night The LadyWarriors (20-2) took a 91-74 victory in the night's opening contest over the Lady Eagles (10-12), and the Warriors (9-12) emerged with an 82-79 win against the Eagles (13-8) in the ~ nightcap at the Ivy Sports Complex. Anytime you "A cross-town rivalry is basically what it is - it is a good win," said can come Lady Warriors coach Brad Hodge. over here "Anytime you can come over here and get a win, it is really nice." and get a The MCC women, who trailed 45- win, it is 32 at halftime, closed to within four- . points of ECCC's lead in the opening really ntce. four minutes of the second half. . After being down 52-44 in the first Lady Wamora three minutes of the second, the Lady 8 d ~o:ch Eagles' JaWanda Huggins and J.J. ra 0 a• Huggins each tallied a basket to knock the Lady Warriors' lead down to 52-48, with 16 minutes left in the game. · "I think we cut it to four at least once and six on a couple of occasions," said Lady Eagles coach Hilary Allen. "I'm proud of the kids for playing all the way through. That can be tough to do when you are not suc– cessful, but they kept on playing hard." Lady Warriors forward Kotreece Bender and Lady Eagles guard Stephanie Mosley traded three-point shots in the next minute and a half to hold ECCC's lead at four, 55-51, with 14:35 to play. ECCC went on a 12-5 run over the next 3 1/2 minutes to push its lead to 67-56, and the Lady Warriors maxed out their advantage over the Lady Eagles at 84-62, with 4:15 to play in the game. "Defensively, we have to guard better," Hodge said. "We were able to rotate more people and get fresh legs in. There is not much difference between our bench and

PHOTO BY KYLE CARTER I THE MERIDIAN STAR

CALLING IN THE PLAY Meridian Community College's head coach Hilary Allen calls in a play during the first half of his team's contest with East Mississippi Community College. our starters, other than somebody has to start each night." Bender scored a team-high 20 points, hitting five three-pointers in the game, and Lenore Gray added 16. Kristin Chaney, Rita Birden and Monique Overstreet See Basketball Page 84