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Southwest Mississippi Community College

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Bears withstand late surge to best Hinds, 78-75

By: Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information
Spencer Rodgers

Men's Basketball | 1/31/2020 12:13:00 AM

The Bears withstood a late surge by the host Hinds Bulldogs Thursday night and held on for a 78-75 MACJC South Division win.
 
A layup and three pointer from Spencer Rodgers had the Bears on top 5-2 early in the first half.
 
Minutes later, a 9-2 spurt by the Bears (11-6, 5-3), capped by a Goodnews Kpegeol trey, gave the Bears their largest lead of the first half, 14-7. Hinds then fought back, outscoring the Bears 14-7 over the next 5:52 to tie the game at 21-21 with 7:59 on the clock.
 
The teams traded buckets the rest of the half before the host Bulldogs (9-6, 4-4) took a 29-28 lead at intermission.
 
The second half was a back and forth affair with a two ties and nine lead changes.
 
With the Bears trailing 53-51, a Ryan Black three pointer, his third of the game, propelled the Bears to a 17-7 run that left them with a 68-60 lead.
 
Hinds refused to go quietly into the night, however, and outscored the Bears 15-6 over the next 5:54 to go ahead 75-74 with only 0:40 on the clock.
 
But, the Bears would not be denied as Rodgers and Damian Dear combined to go 4-4 at the free throw line in the last 0:33.9 to give the Bears the narrow victory.
 
"It was a great overall team effort from start to finish," stated Bears head coach Bryan Bender. "We shared the ball, we shared the ball and we shot the ball really well in the second half. Spencer and Ryan hit huge threes in the second half (and) Damian and Querrion Gadson made some big plays."
 
"We win on defense," Bender continued. "We are a tougher team than a month ago and I'm excited for the growth of our team. I'm proud of our team for overcoming adversity on the road and getting a huge win."
 
Rodgers led all scorers with 23 points, 18 coming in the second half, while Dear followed with 18 points.
 
Payton Taylor topped the Hinds offense with 16 points.
 
The Bears take to the home court for their next game as they host the Meridian Eagles on February 3 for a 7:15 South Division matchup.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Damian Dear

#5 Damian Dear

G
6' 0"
Sophomore
Querrion Gadson

#4 Querrion Gadson

G
6' 1"
Freshman
Goodnews Kpegeol

#12 Goodnews Kpegeol

G/F
6' 6"
Redshirt Freshman
Spencer Rodgers

#22 Spencer Rodgers

G
6' 4"
Sophomore
Ryan Black

#30 Ryan Black

G
6' 2"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Damian Dear

#5 Damian Dear

6' 0"
Sophomore
G
Querrion Gadson

#4 Querrion Gadson

6' 1"
Freshman
G
Goodnews Kpegeol

#12 Goodnews Kpegeol

6' 6"
Redshirt Freshman
G/F
Spencer Rodgers

#22 Spencer Rodgers

6' 4"
Sophomore
G
Ryan Black

#30 Ryan Black

6' 2"
Sophomore
G