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Southwest Mississippi Community College

Scoreboard

Bears get impressive win at Pearl River

By: Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information
Terrell Miller

Men's Basketball | 1/29/2016 7:15:00 AM

Box Score

Avenging an early-season home loss to Pearl River, the Bears went on the road to Poplarville Thursday night and returned the favor with an impressive 75-67 MACJC South Division win over the Wildcats.
 
The Bears moved to 10-6 overall with the win and, at 5-3, into a three-way tie with Gulf Coast and Pearl River for second place in the South. Pearl River dropped to 11-6 overall.
 
A pair of three pointers from Lafayette Rutledge gave the Bears a 6-0 lead with only 0:55 off the clock in the first half. Back-to-back jumpers from Bryce Baker, including a three pointer, increased the lead to 14-5 with 16:29 left before the break.
 
Holding a 19-11 lead, the Bears then saw Pearl River go on an 11-0 run to take a 22-19 lead with 9:08 on the clock. With Rutledge and Mario Doyle combining to score 17 of the game's next 23 points, the Bears then took a 36-28 lead with 2:02 to play before the half. Late in the half, Terrell Miller's jumper gave the Bears a 10-point advantage, 38-28, which they carried into the locker room at intermission.
 
Pearl River scored the first five points of the second half to close to within five points, 38-33, with 18:48 left in the game. But, the Bears scored the next eight points to increase that lead to 13 points, 46-33, with 15:29 to play.
 
Holding their largest lead of the night, 52-37, with 12:49 to play, the Bears watched as Pearl River went on a 15-2 run to pull to within two points, 52-50, with 9:03 to go.
 
Again, the Bears responded. A basket from Guy Johnson and free throws from Emanuel Thompson and Miller pushed the Bears' lead back to eight points, 58-50, with 6:42 remaining.
 
Pearl River would come to within four points on two occasions in the final 6:42. But, with the Bears responding each time, including hitting six of eight free throws down the stretch, the hosts could not any closer and the Bears went on to pick up the eight-point victory.
 
"Obviously, any time you win on the road in this league it's really big," said Bears' head coach Thomas Gray. "But, to go to Pearl River and play in that tough environment (and win), I'm feeling very fortunate and very blessed."
 
"Free throws were a huge key (to the win)," Gray went on. "Struggling from the free throw line against Jones County (44%) and then shooting just below 50% against East Central, I'm just really happy for the guys just putting the work in to come back out and shoot much better from the line (16-23, 70%). That made all the difference down the stretch."
 
Rutledge was 7-11 from the field, including 5-7 from three-point range, to finish the game with a team-high 21 points. Miller added a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Pearl River's Darrlyn Willis led all scorers with 24 points. The Wildcats made good on 14 of 18 free throws.
 
The Bears return home Monday for a 7:15 contest against South Division foe Hinds.
 
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Players Mentioned

Terrell Miller

#1 Terrell Miller

F
6' 8"
Sophomore
Lafayette Rutledge

#3 Lafayette Rutledge

G
5' 11"
Sophomore
Guy Johnson

#11 Guy Johnson

G
6' 0"
Freshman
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

Players Mentioned

Terrell Miller

#1 Terrell Miller

6' 8"
Sophomore
F
Lafayette Rutledge

#3 Lafayette Rutledge

5' 11"
Sophomore
G
Guy Johnson

#11 Guy Johnson

6' 0"
Freshman
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