Skip To Main Content

Southwest Mississippi Community College

Scoreboard

Bears drop close one to #8 Jones County in regional semifinal

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

Men's Basketball | 3/10/2017 6:06:00 AM

BOX SCORE

The Bears were unable to hold off the charge of the 8th-ranked Jones County Bobcats and fell, 72-66, in the semifinal round of the NJCAA Region 23 tournament at Mississippi College Thursday night.
 
With the loss, the Bears ended their season with an 18-9 mark. Jones County climbed to 27-1.
 
The future looked bright for the Bears in the early going Thursday night as an Antonio Cowart, Jr.., three pointer gave them an early 10-4 lead.
 
After the Bobcats briefly took a one-point lead, the Bears scored seven straight and went back on top, 17-11, on a Mike Parks, Jr., jumper with 14:30 before the end of the half.
 
The teams traded baskets for the next several minutes before taking a 35-25 lead on Cowart, Jr's. layup with 7:04 on the clock. That would prove to be the last points the Bears would score in the half as Jones County went on an 18-0 run to take a 43-35 lead into the locker room at intermission.
 
Outscoring the Bears 9-4, Jones County took a 52-39 lead just 2:37 into the second half.
 
The Bears would then score seven straight and pull to within 52-48 with 14:09 left in the game.
 
Trailing 58-48, the Bears used back-to-back three pointers from Guy Johnson and Rodrick Sikes to again pull within four points, 58-54, with 7:55 left to play.
 
The Bobcats then outscored the Bears 10-4 to move back out to a double-digit lead, 68-58, with 1:55 to go. But, the Bears refused to give in, pulling to within five points, 71-66, on Johnson's layup with 0:26 showing.
 
Unfortunately, that would be as close as the Bears would get as Jones County held on to get the close win.
 
"I'm so proud of this group of guys," said Bears head coach Thomas Gray, "especially these sophomores who mean so much to me and this community. It's hard to believe how much they have accomplished in two seasons…the only team in the state the past two years to make the semifinals of every tournament they appeared in, the best division finish  this season since 2001, the highest GPA in the country and a state championship last season."
 
Continuing his postgame comments, Gray said he was grateful for his assistant coaches, Andy Farrell and James Johns and "all of the hard work they have put in this year. Those two guys don't get nearly enough credit." Lastly, he said, "I hope the community lets these players know how proud they are of them and how they represented Southwest."
 
Sikes recorded a double-double, with 25 points and 10 rebounds, to lead all players. Johnson and Cowart, Jr., also scored in double figures with 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Bears made 10 of 13 free throws.
 
David Davis led Jones County's offense with 24 points. He and his teammates made good on 14 of 19 free throws.
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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
Mike Parks, Jr.

#22 Mike Parks, Jr.

C
6' 9"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

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
Mike Parks, Jr.

#22 Mike Parks, Jr.

6' 9"
Sophomore
C