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Southwest Mississippi Community College

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Bears' late-game rally falls short at Co-Lin

By: Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information
Antonio Cowart, Jr.

Men's Basketball | 1/24/2017 6:33:00 AM

A valiant late-game rally fell just short for the Bears Monday night as they suffered a heartbreaking 73-72 defeat in Wesson at the hands of their arch-rivals, the Co-Lin Wolves.
 
The loss dropped the Bears into a three-way tie for first place in the MACJC South at 4-1; they're now 10-4 overall. Co-Lin moved to 8-6 and 2-3.
 
The game featured five lead changes in the first 3:39. Co-Lin took its biggest lead of the half, 12-7, on a LaMarcus Lee free throw with 15:05 on the clock. Later, an Emanuel Thompson three pointer and Rodrick Sikes' layup put the Bears on top 22-21.
 
A 9-2 run late in the half, capped by Jeremy Harrell's three pointer left the Bears with their biggest lead of the night, 35-28, with 1:24 on the clock. They then took a 35-30 lead into the intermission.
 
Co-Lin came out firing on all cylinders to start the second half, outscoring the Bears 11-0 to take a 44-37 lead with 14:57 left in the game. The Bears fought back, going on an 8-0 run and pulling to within 45-44 on a Bryce Baker trey with 13:14 remaining.
 
Outscoring the Bears 13-5 over a period of 5:13, Co-Lin seemed to have matters firmly in hand as they moved out to a 65-55 lead with 2:02 left in the game.
 
But, the Bears were not quite ready to give up. Going on a 16-7 tear, including seven points in a span of 0:35, they pulled to within a point, 72-71, on Thompson's jumper with 0:07 to play.
 
With the score 73-71, Sikes stepped to the line for a pair of free throws with 0:03 on the clock. Sinking the first shot to close the gap to 73-72, Sikes saw the second shot bounce off the rim and into the hands of the defense, leaving the Bears on the short end of the score.
 
"We put ourselves in a hole, coming out flat (to start) the second half," said Bears head coach Thomas Gray. "We need to improve on executing our offense and being patient to look for high percentage shots."
 
"I was proud of the way we never stopped playing," Gray went on, "and through that we put ourselves in position to win the game late. There are many areas we will improve on, but also there are many positive things we will take from tonight."
 
Sikes led all scorers in the game with 28 points while Thompson was also in double figures with 18 points. The Bears made 18 of 25 free throws.
 
Darrian Wilson led Co-Lin's offense with 17 points. The hosts were good on 11 of 22 free throws.
 
Opening a two-game home stand, the Bears return to the court Thursday night with a South Division game against the Hinds Bulldogs. The tip is set for 7:15.
 
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Jeremy Harrell

#1 Jeremy Harrell

F/C
6' 7"
Freshman
Rodrick Sikes

#14 Rodrick Sikes

G
6' 1"
Sophomore
Emanuel Thompson

#21 Emanuel Thompson

G/F
6' 4"
Sophomore
Bryce Baker

#23 Bryce Baker

G/F
6' 5"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Jeremy Harrell

#1 Jeremy Harrell

6' 7"
Freshman
F/C
Rodrick Sikes

#14 Rodrick Sikes

6' 1"
Sophomore
G
Emanuel Thompson

#21 Emanuel Thompson

6' 4"
Sophomore
G/F
Bryce Baker

#23 Bryce Baker

6' 5"
Sophomore
G/F