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Southwest Mississippi Community College

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Bears withstand 2nd half Meridian surge to win 70-61

By: Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information
Rodrick Sikes
Chuck Barnes

Men's Basketball | 1/12/2016 7:01:00 AM

What had the makings of a blowout in the first half turned into a nail-biter in the second as the Bears held on for a 70-61 win over the visiting Meridian Eagles Monday night.
 
The win, their third in a row, moved the Bears to 7-4 on the season and 2-1 in the MACJC South Division. Meridian dropped to 3-8 and 0-2.
 
After three ties in the first 4:38 of the game, the Bears used back-to-back three pointers from Bryce Baker and
Terrell Miller to take a 12-6 lead with 14:44 on the clock.
 
A bucket from Mario Doyle with 8:53 to go in the half gave the Bears their first double-digit lead at 25-14. A 10-3 run late in the half increased their  advantage to 35-17 with 2:44 left in the half and they were on top 39-24 at the break.
 
Meridian refused to go quietly into the night, however. Leading by 15, 45-30, with 15:48 left in the game, the Bears saw Meridian go on a 10-2 run to pull back to within seven, 47-40, with 11:57 left. Four free throws by the Bears then pushed the lead back to 11, 51-40, with 8:51 to play. Meridian then outscored the Bears 12-5 to close the gap to four points, 56-52, with 5:41 still on the clock.
 
After a jumper and pair of free throws by Miller extended the Bears' lead back to double digits, 62-52, with 2:14 left, Meridian used a 9-2 run to draw to within three points, 64-61, with 0:37 still showing.
 
That proved to be the visitors last gasp, however, as Emanuel Thompson, Rodrick Sikes and LeDerrius Simmons each hit a pair of free throws to seal the win for the Bears.
 
"It was a great effort on Meridian's part," said second-year Bears' head coach Thomas Gray. But, based on film study, Gray said he knew Meridian played hard and never gave up "and that's what we saw (in the second half). I think we got a little complacent and kind of slacked (off) a little bit."
 
"I'm just glad we could finish this game out, make really big free throws. Free throws won us this game in the second half."
 
Miller led all scorers with 21 points in the game and he topped the Bears with eight rebounds. Thompson was also in double figures with 14 points. The Bears were good on 26 of 37 free throws with 14 of 15 coming in the second half.
 
Ken' Darrius Hamilton and Devin Paicley-Smith both had 20 points for Meridian. The Eagles made six of eight free throws.
 
The Bears head to Perkinston for their next game as they take on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Bulldogs Thursday night. The MACJC South Division contest is scheduled for a 7:30 start.
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Terrell Miller

#1 Terrell Miller

F
6' 8"
Sophomore
LeDerrius Simmons

#4 LeDerrius Simmons

G
5' 8"
Sophomore
Mario Doyle

#14 Mario Doyle

G
6' 1"
Freshman
Emanuel Thompson

#21 Emanuel Thompson

G/F
6' 4"
Freshman
Bryce Baker

#23 Bryce Baker

G/F
6' 5"
Freshman
Rodrick Sikes

#24 Rodrick Sikes

G
6' 1"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Terrell Miller

#1 Terrell Miller

6' 8"
Sophomore
F
LeDerrius Simmons

#4 LeDerrius Simmons

5' 8"
Sophomore
G
Mario Doyle

#14 Mario Doyle

6' 1"
Freshman
G
Emanuel Thompson

#21 Emanuel Thompson

6' 4"
Freshman
G/F
Bryce Baker

#23 Bryce Baker

6' 5"
Freshman
G/F
Rodrick Sikes

#24 Rodrick Sikes

6' 1"
Freshman
G