2005

L_ - _ ~ __ - - I I I Strong second half propels · ECCC won _ ~ -- - ! 1

By Marty Stamper staff writer

Holding Gulf Coast to only four points over the first 10 minutes of the second half was a major key in the Lady Warriors' s ixth-straight league win. "That's what's got us where we're at," Hodge said of the defensive pressure. "They've bought into it. and they've done a great job with applying defensive pressure. Gulf Coast had 56 points for the game and that's a group lhal was averaging about 75. That's a commitment our players have made, and it's paid off so far." The Lady Warriors turned the game over to Kristin Chaney in the .final six minutes, as she scored 13 of ECCC's last 16 points. Included in that stretch was an 11-of-13 effort at the free-: throw line. · Chaney finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Young had 15 points, while India Backstrom had 11. Kotreece Bender added nine, Sara Judice had six points and eight rebounds, and Shannon Lloyd had five points. Kim Cox had three steals. "We've still got to get three more wins to guarantee we qualify (for the state and region

tournaments)," Hodge said. " regular-season championship, on a lot of other people, plus care of our business. It's a lig-1 tunatcly, there's going to be a sitting at home from the Soull just got to hope it's not us." Gulf Coast got 16 points t eight each from Brittney McClindo, and Davina Wells. Gulf Coast (men) ECCC After ending regulation tie riors scored the first seven poi· go up 93·86 on a 3-pointer by with 3:43 on the clock. Gulf Coast pulled even at ~ Courtenay Brown with 27.6 st•• The Warrior~ we re setting shot, but A.J. Magee picked

~ Good shooting cures a lot of ills. We finally made some shots and got the ball moving against that zone defense and got it inside the zone and made some big shots.

,_ DECATUR - The good news for the Eas t Central Community College Lady Warriors in Monday's game with MACJC South Division– leading Mississippi Gulf Coast was that they were still very much in the contest despite scoring just 20 points in the fi rst halL Trailing 28-20 at intermission, the Lady War– riors used a 45-28 second-half advantage to take a 65-56 victory and improved to 14--6 overall and 6-3 in the division. Gulf Coast dropped to 16-4 and 7-2. Scoring in the first half was sporadic at best for the Lady Warriors. They even struggled at the free-throw line, making jusl4-of·12 attempts. "That definitely was the worst offens ive half we've had all year," said ECCC head coach Brad Hodge. "We s hot 32 percent that fi rst half. "This team shoots too well fo r us to worry about that We told them that our defense had kept us alive. We were within just four posses– sions." It wouldn't take the Lady Warriors long to

ECCC head coach Brad HodKe

establish their offense in the second half. Tierra Young hit two baskets in the first 42 seconds to cut ECCC's deficit to four points. After a basket by Gulf Coast's Veronica Palmer gave the Lady Bulldogs a 30-24lead,the Lady Warriors went on a 14-0 run and scored 20 of the next 22 points to grab a 44-32 advaulaJ.W- "Good shooting cures a lot of ills." Hoclg(' said. "We finally made some shots and got the ball moving against that zone defense: and got it inside the zone and made some big shots."-

See ECCC Page B2

·15 poi nl ~ t>Ht:h from Ryan l lud-;on ilt ld Andrew Lewis, 11 t•arh lrom Akantar and Tawon Walkc•r; nini! i•ach from Andre <..olc•mM :md Garrick Nichols and c·iv.hl c•:td1 from Jacquas Jonc-.; and l£~rrance McNichols. f\.1

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Alcantar and laid il up for two points. Alcantar was abo called for an intcnlional foul on the play with Magt·l~ making both free shots for a 99-95 lc•ad with only 3.5 seconds to play. "It's never over until it's over, but I thought this was one of the betler games that our guys have played," said ECCC h ead coach Bill Smith. "Gulf Coast is one of the top two teams in the South (Division), and we had a chance to win. The guys played hard and we had a chance to take the last shot in overtime and threw it away. I was proud of the way Lhe guys played." The Warriors (5-15, 2-7) got

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