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Southwest Mississippi Community College

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Bears' rally fall late, but fall short at East Central

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

Men's Basketball | 1/28/2019 11:03:00 PM

A late rally fell just short for the Bears Monday night as the host East Central Warriors held on for an 84-81 win to close out the first half of the MACJC South Division schedule.
 
East Central (8-8, 1-6) started the game with a quick 6-0 lead before the Bears came back to knot the score at 6-6 with 16:42 left in the opening half.
 
Trailing 15-14, the Bears scored 10 of the next 16 points to take the lead. A Roderick Smith jumper with 8:38 on the clock gave the Bears a 24-21 advantage, their largest of the night.
 
East Central answered with an 11-1 run that saw them go on top 34-25 with 4:00 on the clock. They went on to take a 36-32 lead at intermission.
 
The second half saw the teams tied three times in the first 2:52. A Robert Kendrick bucket with 17:08 left brought the Bears even with their hosts at 40-40.
 
After a time out, East Central responded with a 14-2 run to move out to a 54-42 lead with 13:48 left to play.
 
With the Bears down 77-66, their rally began. A pair of Damian Dear free throws helped the Bears outscore East Central 11-7 to pull to within 83-79 with 0:16 remaining. East Central then hit a free throw before Smith's jumper at the buzzer provided the final points of the night.
 "
"Our guys fought from start to finish," said Bears' head man Bryan Bender. "We just didn't have enough firepower to close out the game. We got a great lift from Rodrick and Robert, but it just wasn't enough."
 
"We are halfway through the South Division (schedule) and have had a lot of ups and downs," Bender went on. "We are not where we want to be at this time, but it's not how we start, it's how we finish. We need a big crowd on Thursday night (when the Bears host Hinds in a 7:30 South Division matchup)."
 
Smith scored 22 points to pace the Bears. Dear finished with 18 points while Kendrick was also in double figures with 15 points. The Bears went 12-16 at the free throw line.
 
Roti Ware scored 31 points to top the East Central offense. He and his teammates combined to go 15-25 at the free throw line.
 
At halftime of the game versus Hinds Thursday night, the 1958-59 Bears' team will be honored to mark the 60th anniversary to commemorate the 60th anniversary of their state championship win.
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Robert Kendrick

#3 Robert Kendrick

G
6' 3"
Freshman
Damian Dear

#5 Damian Dear

G
6' 0"
Freshman
Roderick Smith

#24 Roderick Smith

F/C
6' 8"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Robert Kendrick

#3 Robert Kendrick

6' 3"
Freshman
G
Damian Dear

#5 Damian Dear

6' 0"
Freshman
G
Roderick Smith

#24 Roderick Smith

6' 8"
Freshman
F/C