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Southwest Mississippi Community College

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@ Co-Lin

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

Bears extend winning streak to six with 88-87 win over Co-Lin

In a game that fans in attendance just had to know was going to go down to the wire, the Southwest Bears extended their winning streak to six games Thursday as they defeated rival Co-Lin 88-87 in Wesson. Things did not go as well for the Lady Bears as they fell 68-42.
 
The win boosted the Bears’ record to 13-7 overall and 6-3 in the MACJC’s South Division. Battling for a playoff spot, Southwest now stands in third place, two games ahead of Mississippi Gulf Coast and only ½ game out of second place behind Jones County.
 
The top four teams from both divisions advance to the state tournament, which begins February 25. A top-three finish will guarantee a team a spot in the Region 23 tournament which begins the next week.
 
The first half of the men’s game featured six ties and three lead changes in the first 9:07. The biggest lead for either team at that point was Co-Lin’s 20-16 advantage with 10:53 to play in the half.
 
The Bears regained the lead 28-22, with 7:04 left in the half, with Quintarius Porter three-pointers beginning and ending a 12-2 scoring run. After Co-Lin (4-16, 2-7) cut the lead to one, 28-27, a Deione Weeks three-pointer began a 11-2 Southwest run that put them up by 10, 39-29, with 3:29 showing on the clock. They then took a 44-35 lead into the break.
 
In the second half, Southwest held a 49-39 lead with 17:54 to play in the game and seemed to have things well in hand. But, Co-Lin had other ideas. Outscoring the Bears 28-18 over the next 8:23, the Wolves battled back to tie the game at 67-67 with 9:31 left in the game.
 
Then, the fun began; with nine ties and eight lead changes occurring before the end of the game it seemed that the team with the last possession would win the game. And, it almost happened that way.
 
After the Bears went up 88-84 on a Deione Weeks bucket, Co-Lin cut the lead to 88-86 on a Fred Fairman jumper with 0:14 to play. With 0:13 to play, a foul sent the Wolves’ Tim Harrison to the free throw line with a chance to tie the game. Fortunately for Southwest, Harrison made only one of two shots, leaving the Bears ahead 88-87.
 
Getting the ball back on a turnover with time winding down, Co-Lin was forced to take a potential game-winning shot from half court at the buzzer. As it missed its mark and fell to the floor, Southwest fans were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.
“Wow,” said Southwest head coach Casey Carter. “What a huge win for this team on the road against our rival. I’m glad my guys were able to experience a win like that. This type of game helps prepare you for the playoffs, if we’re able to get in.”
 
“It was a great game in an outstanding environment,” Carter continued, “largely due to the crowd (of Southwest fans) that made the short trip from Summit. A special thanks (goes out) to all the Southwest athletes who showed up and showed out tonight. They provided a home-like atmosphere.”
 
Carter added that “Deione made some enormous shots the (entire) game that gave us a chance and at the end of the game we just got the ball in Deville Smith’s and Corey Williams’ hands and allowed them to make plays for our team.”
 
Smith and Weeks both scored 21 points for Southwest to lead all scorers. Smith added seven assists and three steals. Porter was also in double figures with 11 points. Donovan Ross finished with a double-double, scoring 10 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
 
Devin Flowers and Williams both registered nine points (Flowers also had 10 rebounds) while Mark Bridgewater netted five and Mikel Henry, two. The Bears hit 10 of 14 free throws.
 
Tim Harrison led Co-Lin with 20 points. The Wolves made 10 of 18 free throws.
 
Southwest closes out the home portion of its schedules Monday and Thursday when they host Pearl River and Hinds, respectively. Game times both nights are 5:30 for the ladies and 7:15 for the men.
 
  Box Score----
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