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Southwest Mississippi Community College

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Bears fall to Hinds in South Division opener

By: Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information
Drelon Pittman

Men's Basketball | 12/9/2019 10:03:00 PM

The start of MACJC South Division play did not go as hoped for the host Bears as they fell to the Bulldogs of Hinds Community College, 81-63.
 
The teams were tied three times in the first 10:40 of the game, the last coming with 9:20 on the clock (18-18). Hinds then went on top 26-18 with 8:05 on the clock.
 
Three free throws from Goodnews Kpegeol helped the Bears draw to within 26-21 with 7:31 left before halftime. Hinds then outscored the Bears 14-6 to go up 40-27 with 0:59 showing and they carried a 41-29 lead into the locker room at the break.
 
After Hinds (6-2, 1-0) increased its lead to 45-29 early in the second half, an 18-7 run, featuring a Spencer Rodgers trey and eight points from Drelon Pittman helped the Bears (5-4, 0-1) pull to within 52-47 with 12:36 still to play.
 
That, unfortunately, would be as close as the Bears would get the rest of the way. The visitors increased their lead back to double digits, 59-47, with 9:48 as they went on to claim the 18-point win.
 
 "Hinds played harder than we did," said Bears head coach Bryan Bender. "A the end of the day, talent aside, you have to be tough. We did make a run in the second half, (but) we just couldn't quite get over the hump."
 
"For us, though, we have to be tougher," Bender continued. "We have to get tougher, we have to play less selfish and not make it about ourselves. We're as good as anyone if we share the ball and we play together."
 
Kpegeol led the Bears' offense with 17 points in the game. He was followed in scoring by Pittman, with 13 points, and Rodgers, with 10 points. The Bears hit 14 of 21 free throws.
 
Hinds' Ladarius Marshall scored 18 points to lead all scorers. He and his teammates were 8-11 at the free throw line.

The Bears will take time off for Christmas and New Year's before returning to action on January 4 at Baton Rouge Community College.
 
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Drelon Pittman

#0 Drelon Pittman

G/F
6' 4"
Redshirt Freshman
Goodnews Kpegeol

#12 Goodnews Kpegeol

G/F
6' 6"
Redshirt Freshman
Spencer Rodgers

#22 Spencer Rodgers

G
6' 4"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Drelon Pittman

#0 Drelon Pittman

6' 4"
Redshirt Freshman
G/F
Goodnews Kpegeol

#12 Goodnews Kpegeol

6' 6"
Redshirt Freshman
G/F
Spencer Rodgers

#22 Spencer Rodgers

6' 4"
Sophomore
G