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Southwest Mississippi Community College

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Bears get 84-74 home win over Meridian

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

Men's Basketball | 1/18/2017 7:08:00 AM

Box Score

Withstanding a second-half comeback attempt by the visiting Meridian Eagles, the Bears moved to 9-3 and 3-0 in the MACJC South, with an 84-74 win Tuesday night.
 
The first half belonged to the Bears. Behind nine points from Mike Parks, Jr.., the home team took a 12-4 lead with 15:02 left in the first half. An Emanuel Thompson bucket with 9:47 on the clock then pushed the lead up to 27-13.
 
Later, a three pointer from Rodrick Sikes followed by a Parks, Jr., layup extended the Bears' lead to 37-15. After the Eagles pulled to within 15, 37-22, the Bears went on a 15-5 run to take their biggest lead of the half, 52-27, on Thompson's three pointer with 0:54 before the break.
 
The Eagles (2-8, 0-3) then scored the final four points of the half to leave the Bears on top 52-31 at the end of the half.
 
The Eagles outscored the Bears 14-7 to open the second half and narrowed their deficit to 59-45 with 13:33 left in the game. After a Sikes jumper put the Bears on top 65-45, the Eagles went on a 15-3 tear and closed to within 68-60 with 6:41 remaining.
 
That would prove to be as close as the Eagles would get the remainder of the night. An 11-2 run, capped by another Sikes bucket, left the Bears on top 79-62 with 3:50 to play. The Eagles closed the game on a 12-5 run, but it was not enough as the Bears held on for the victory.
 
"I thought we came out with great intensity on the defensive end to start the game and that translated to a great focus offensively," said Bears head coach Thomas Gray.
 
"Meridian is a tough-minded team, and really well coached that came out strong in the second half and played a great game, "Gray continued. "We are extremely fortunate to win a game that I thought was well played by both teams."
 
Parks, Jr., topped the Bears' offense with a season-high 21 points. Sikes followed with 16 points, his 12th straight game in double figures, while Thompson scored 15 points. The Bears made good on 23 of 33 free throws.
 
The Eagles' Ashton Pierce led all scorers with 30 points. He and his teammates combined to hit 27 of 31 free throws.
 
The Bears return to action Thursday night when they travel to Ellisville to face the Jones County Bobcats. The game is set for a 7:30 start.
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Rodrick Sikes

#14 Rodrick Sikes

G
6' 1"
Sophomore
Emanuel Thompson

#21 Emanuel Thompson

G/F
6' 4"
Sophomore
Mike Parks, Jr.

#22 Mike Parks, Jr.

C
6' 9"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Rodrick Sikes

#14 Rodrick Sikes

6' 1"
Sophomore
G
Emanuel Thompson

#21 Emanuel Thompson

6' 4"
Sophomore
G/F
Mike Parks, Jr.

#22 Mike Parks, Jr.

6' 9"
Sophomore
C