EMCC ties it, then loses in OT
By By Carver Rayburn / staff writer
Feb. 11, 2003
SCOOBA The play was called Georgia. Allison Power knocked down a three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining to tie the game at 76-76 and send it into overtime.
After outscoring the visiting Lady Tigers of Northeast Community College 6-0 in the final 40 seconds, the East Mississippi Community College Lady Lions eventually fell to NECC in overtime, 88-78. The Lady Lions scored six points in the final 40 seconds to send the game into extra time before a momentum swing took the game away from them.
Northeast was leading 76-73 with 42 seconds remaining and turned the ball over on a traveling call that led to the Power three-pointer. EMCC head coach Dale Peay called the play from the bench.
The first half of play saw a slow start for the visiting Lady Tigers. NECC only managed to put nine points on the board in the first 10 minutes of play. EMCC took advantage of the slow start by going inside to sophomore forward Yolanda Thomas and freshman forward Cedra Glover.
Glover finished with 27 points and Thomas contributed 16 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Lady Lions.
After leading by as many as seven at 20-13 in the first half, EMCC fell victim to a NECC full court press began to force turnovers and the Lady Tigers began knocking down shots. The Lady Tigers scored 11 points off seven turnovers in the final five minutes of the first half to take a 38-32 lead into intermission.
In the second half, freshman forward Marqueita Thomas took over to help the Lady Tigers extend their lead to as much as 11 with 11:44 left play in regulation. Thomas finished with 32 points adn was a perfect 8-for-8 from the line.
The Lady Lions would not roll over, clawing their way back into this one with two late three-pointers to send the game into overtime.
In the extra period, the Lady Tigers seemed to stake the momentum right out of the gate with a quick basket from Thomas. The NECC defense held EMCC to just two points in the five minutes of extra play.
NECC head coach Ricky Ford said that the momentum swing was the key to the Lady Tiger victory.
EMCC falls to 9-14 and 4-6 inside north division play. Northeast gained sole possession of second place in the north division improving to 7-3.
