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Southwest Mississippi Community College

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Bears fall to Northeast in MACJC semifinals

By: Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information
Guy Johnson
jucoweekly.org

Men's Basketball | 3/1/2017 10:47:00 PM

Box Score

The Bears' reign as state champions came to an unfortunate end Wednesday night in Ellisville as they dropped a tough 91-88 decision to the Northeast Tigers in the semifinal round of the MACJC state tournament.
 
Despite the loss, the Bears (17-8) will advance to next week's NJCAA Region 23 tournament. They will face Baton Rouge Community College on March 8; the tipoff time has not yet been determined.
 
After falling behind early, the Bears took a 16-15 lead, with 14:24 before the half, on a Rodrick Sikes layup. This started the Bears on a 16-4 run, highlighted by a Bryce Baker trey and Antonio Cowart, Jr.., dunk, that left them on top 30-19 with 8:15 on the clock.
 
Northeast then returned the favor, going on a 16-6 run, to narrow the Bears' lead to 36-35 with 3:45 on the clock. The Bears went on to take a 39-38 advantage into the locker room at intermission.

Outscoring the Bears 16-9 to open the second half, Northeast took a 54-48 lead with 15:47 left in the game. Going on a 25-10 run over the next 8:15, capped by a Guy Johnson layup, the Bears went on top 73-64 with 7:32 still to play.

The teams then traded baskets, with four ties and six lead changes over the ensuing 6:30. The Bears took their final lead of the night, 86-84, on Cowart, Jr.'s, three pointer with 1:02 remaining.

Trailing 90-86, the Bears pulled to within a pair, 90-88, on James Hawthorne's tip in with 0:05 remaining. But, that would prove to be the Bears' last gasp as Northeast held on to get the three-point win and lock up a spot in Thursday night's title game.

"I can't deny the fact that we walk away from that game feeling like we missed an opportunity," said Bears head coach Thomas Gray. "I thought we played very well in spots today, but I think when we could have added on to a few significant leads, we gave them opportunities to get back into the game. Down the stretch, it became a game that either team could win and that was evident with the amount of lead changes in the final few minutes."

"I was proud of our guys' efforts this week and even though we are upset now I now this experience will make our team better heading into the Region 23 tournament next week."

Cowart, Jr., paced the Bears' offense with 25 points. Sikes followed with 14 points while Johnson scored 13 and Baker had 12. The Bears were 12 0f 18 at the free throw line.

Kendall Stafford scored 27 points for Northeast to lead all scorers. He and his teammates combined to go 18-22 at the free throw line.
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

James Hawthorne

#2 James Hawthorne

F
6' 7"
Sophomore
Antonio Cowart, Jr.

#4 Antonio Cowart, Jr.

G
6' 3"
Freshman
Guy Johnson

#11 Guy Johnson

G
6' 0"
Sophomore
Rodrick Sikes

#14 Rodrick Sikes

G
6' 1"
Sophomore
Bryce Baker

#23 Bryce Baker

G/F
6' 5"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

James Hawthorne

#2 James Hawthorne

6' 7"
Sophomore
F
Antonio Cowart, Jr.

#4 Antonio Cowart, Jr.

6' 3"
Freshman
G
Guy Johnson

#11 Guy Johnson

6' 0"
Sophomore
G
Rodrick Sikes

#14 Rodrick Sikes

6' 1"
Sophomore
G
Bryce Baker

#23 Bryce Baker

6' 5"
Sophomore
G/F