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Southwest Mississippi Community College

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Homestanding Bears defeat East Central in dramatic fashion, 75-74

By: Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information
Xavion Dillon
Chuck Barnes

Men's Basketball | 2/20/2015 9:45:00 AM

Fans in attendance got their money's worth and more Thursday night as the Southwest Bears overcame a 13-point second-half deficit and the ejection of their head coach to defeat visiting East Central in dramatic fashion, 75-74. The win served as payback for a 10-point Southwest defeat in Decatur in January.
 
The Bears ended the year with a record of 9-13 overall and 6-8 in the MACJC South Division. East Central moves into the state tournament with marks of 13-10, 8-6.
 
The Bears seemed in control of the game in the early going, taking a 14-8 lead on Xavion Dillon's (Tylertown) free throw with 13:04 left in the half. Outscoring the Warriors 9-5 over the next 6:00, the Bears then extended their lead to 10 points, 23-13, on a Cliff Fernandez (Dexter) three pointer with 7:07 on the clock.
 
But, the Warriors were not ready to roll over. Down 25-17 with 4:14 on the clock, the visitors went on a 12-0 scoring spree to take a 29-25 lead with 0:22 before the break. A Lafayette Rutledge (Gautier) three pointer just before the buzzer then sent the teams into intermission with the Warriors on top 29-28.
 
Intensity made itself very present early in the second half. With the game tied, 33-33 and 18:33 left in the game, Bears head coach Thomas Gray received two technical fouls and was ejected from the game.  Four free throws and a three pointer from Quinton Campbell followed that closed out a 10-0 run that put the Warriors on top 43-33 with 17:00 left in the game. They then moved out to a 50-37 lead with 15:10 to go.
 
Following the ejection of Gray, the Bears seemed to play inspired ball and refused to yield. Keeping the game close, the Bears finally took a 70-69 lead on David Burrell's (Milwaukee, WI) three pointer with 2:35 remaining.
 
The teams then traded baskets as the clock wound down and the drama continued. With 0:01 on the clock, Dillon went to the free throw line for the Bears. Netting one of two shots, he provided the winning margin as the Bears closed out the season on a high note.
 
Assistant coach Andy Farrell assumed control of the team following Gray's departure. Going into the team huddle after that, Farrell said the players "kept saying over and over 'we have to get this for Coach Gray.' That was special and that really let me know where their minds were. Our team is so strong mentally that they were able to use that as motivation to unify with one another for the guy who's been their leader all year."\
 
Even down 13 points, Farrell said the team was full of confidence. "They never once doubted one another or the game plan that we had for them. All those early morning practices, conditioning sessions and individual workouts built them to be ready for all of the adversity that we faced and they handled it like the team we know they are."
 
Rutledge scored 18 points to lead the Bears in scoring. Dillon finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds while
Jaylen Moore (Harrison Central) had 13 points and nine assists. Burrell also ended with a double double, with 12 points and 11 boards.
 
Trent Jeffries (Harrison Central) recorded six points. Fernandez and Jeremy Reddy (Pearl) both scored three and
Justin McCray (Ridgeland) and Monte Martin (South Pike) both had two. Chris McIntosh (Murrah) chipped in one point. The Bears made 22 of 32 free throws.
 
East Central was led by Campbell's 23 points. The Warriors hit 12 of 17 free throws.
 
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Players Mentioned

Xavion Dillon

#1 Xavion Dillon

F
6' 7"
Sophomore
David Burrell

#2 David Burrell

F
6' 6"
Freshman
Lafayette Rutledge

#3 Lafayette Rutledge

G
5' 11"
Freshman
Chris McIntosh

#5 Chris McIntosh

G/F
6' 4"
Freshman
Trent Jeffries

#11 Trent Jeffries

G/F
6' 4"
Sophomore
Jaylen Moore

#12 Jaylen Moore

G
6' 1"
Sophomore
Justin McCray

#14 Justin McCray

F
6' 6"
Sophomore
Cliff Fernandez

#22 Cliff Fernandez

F/C
6' 6"
Freshman
Jeremy Reddy

#33 Jeremy Reddy

G
5' 10"
Sophomore
Monte Martin

#35 Monte Martin

C
6' 7"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Xavion Dillon

#1 Xavion Dillon

6' 7"
Sophomore
F
David Burrell

#2 David Burrell

6' 6"
Freshman
F
Lafayette Rutledge

#3 Lafayette Rutledge

5' 11"
Freshman
G
Chris McIntosh

#5 Chris McIntosh

6' 4"
Freshman
G/F
Trent Jeffries

#11 Trent Jeffries

6' 4"
Sophomore
G/F
Jaylen Moore

#12 Jaylen Moore

6' 1"
Sophomore
G
Justin McCray

#14 Justin McCray

6' 6"
Sophomore
F
Cliff Fernandez

#22 Cliff Fernandez

6' 6"
Freshman
F/C
Jeremy Reddy

#33 Jeremy Reddy

5' 10"
Sophomore
G
Monte Martin

#35 Monte Martin

6' 7"
Freshman
C