Gulf Coast depth too much for MCC
By By Jeff Byrd / sports editor
Jan. 22, 2003
A fast pace and a deep Gulf Coast Lady Bulldog bench eventually wore down the Meridian Community College Lady Eagles here in the second half at the Ivy Sports Center.
Gulf Coast was able to battle back from a six-point halftime deficit with a strong surge in the second half to whip MCC 106-89 on Tuesday night in Mississippi Junior College South Division action.
The loss was the Lady Eagles' second straight division loss at home. They fall to 2-3 in the division and 11-4 overall.
Gulf Coast improves to 12-4 on the year and is now 3-2 in the division.
Meridian played one of its best "halves of basketball" according to MCC head coach Hilary Allen. Monique Horner and JaWanda Huggins combined for 35 points to give MCC a 53-47 halftime lead.
But Gulf Coast opened the second half with a 13-4 run to retake the lead at 60-57. Two baskets by point guard Shana Bell helped put the Lady Bulldogs on top.
A 15-foot jumper by Meridian High product Stephanie Mosley kept the game tied at 73-73.
But Gulf Coast got an inside basket from LaShanda Berry and another from Joanna Williams to go up 77-73. Another basket by Monique Cowans made it 79-74 with 6:21 to go.
Up three, the Lady Bulldogs then went on a decisive run which was ignited by a three-pointer. The 10-2 spurt handed GCCC an 89-79 advantage. An 8-0 run with two minutes to play boosted the spread to 16 at 97-81.
Keying Gulf Coast was having seven players score eight or more points. Williams led the way with 29 off 14 made field goals.
Horner, who had four, three-pointers in the first half, did not have a three-pointer in the second half. She ended with 26 points.
Huggins, who did damage down low off good passes from Horner in the first half, was limited to just five made free throws out of eight attempted. She finished with 20 points. Mosley had nine points in the second half and ended with 17.
Chelse' Alford had 11 for the Lady Eagles.
Berry assisted Williams with 16 points. Cowans followed with 10 as did Ashley Thurman. Two others had nine and one added eight.
