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Southwest Mississippi Community College

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Bears fall in overtime to Jones
Tommy Young

Men's Basketball Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information

Bears fall in overtime to Jones County

Needing a win Monday night to lock up a spot in the upcoming MACJC state playoffs, the Southwest Bears instead find themselves in a virtual must-win situation after falling 102-94 in overtime at Jones County. The Lady Bears were defeated 93-56.
 
The loss by the Southwest men dropped them into a three-way tie for third place tie with Hinds and Jones County with all standing at 5-6 in the South Division. Southwest is now 10-12 overall while the Bobcats are 11-11.
 
Southwest closes out the regular season at home against Hinds Thursday night and can still reach the playoffs with a win. A loss to the Bulldogs would not be fatal to the Bears’ hopes, however, but it would put them in the position of having to pull for a Co-Lin win against Jones County the same night.
 
The Bears took the early lead Monday night, going up 7-2 on Wesley Blackmon’s three-pointer with 18:36 to play in the half, and held it until the 12:49 mark when the Bobcats moved on top 14-13. The Bobcats stretched their lead to as many as six points, 39-33, with 4:20 on the clock before settling for a 45-41 lead at the break.
 
Southwest stayed close for the first few minutes of the second half, even taking a 56-55 lead on a Blackmon free throw with 15:13 to play. But, the Bobcats then went on a 12-0 run to go up 67-56 with 12:28 left in the game and seemingly had the game well in hand.
 
But, the Bears clawed back into the game, outscoring their hosts 22-11 over the next 10:21 to tie the game at 78-78 on Mark Bridgewater’s three-pointer at the 2:01 mark. Things were looking promising for the Bears when a field goal by Blackmon and a Cory Lacy free throw had them on top 81-78 with 0:28 to play. But, Jones County’s Courtney Mack found the bottom of the net on a three-pointer with 0:05 to play to tie the game at 81-81 and forcing the overtime.
 
Jones County quickly took control of things in the extra frame, scoring the first nine points to go up 90-81 with 1:59 to play and leading by as many as 11 points as they pulled away for the win.
 
“I’m so proud of our guys for coming into a big game on the road and showing some fight and determination for 40 minutes,” said Southwest head coach Casey Carter. “We had a really good opportunity to win the game in regulation and that’s all you can ask for. Jones County made a good play to send it into overtime and we were never able to overcome it. They took control of the momentum and kept it the entire extra period.”
 
“Now,” Carter went on, “Thursday night’s home game (against Hinds) turns into a ‘if we win, we’re in as a third seed and if we lose we’re most likely out.’ We have to have the same turnout that we had last week (against Gulf Coast). (The fans) need to show up before 7:00 and be as loud as they can.”
 
Blackmon and Lacy both scored 25 points for the Bears to lead all scorers. Bridgewater was also in double figures with 18 points. Mikel Henry added nine points and Parker Moore had seven. Devin Flowers netted four points while Josh Brannon, Michael Hall and Christopher Lawrence all scored two. Southwest made 23 of 35 free throws.
 
Donta Pittman led six Jones County players in double figures with 20 points. The Bobcats were good on 30 of 45 free throws.
 
Thursday night tips off with the ladies’ game at 5:00 with the men following at approximately 7:00. It will also be Sophomore Night at Southwest as the sophomore players and cheerleaders will be recognized during the final home appearances.
  
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