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Southwest Mississippi Community College

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Bears clinch post-season berth with win at East Central

By: Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information
Damian Dear

Men's Basketball | 2/21/2020 5:48:00 AM

Needing a win in a big way, the Bears got the job done Thursday night in Decatur with a convincing 93-62 MACJC South Division win over East Central. The game marked the end of the regular season for both teams.
 
With the win, the Bears ended the regular season at 14-9 overall and 8-6 in the South. More importantly, they clinched a spot, as the South's 4th seed, in next week's MACJC tournament to be held at East Mississippi Community College.
 
East Central ended the year at 9-14, 4-10.
 
The game was tight in the early going with four lead changes in the first 2:28. A Damian Dear three pointer and layup then served as bookends to a 10-0 run by the Bears that put them on top for good, 14-5, with 15:06 left in the opening half.
 
With 11:52 to go in the half, Goodnews Kpegeol laid the ball in the goal in increase the Bears' lead to 21-11.
 
After East Central trimmed their deficit to 23-19, Ryan Black nailed a trey to close out a 20-3 run that left the Bears with a 43-22 advantage with 3:48 on the clock. They would go on to hold a 46-26 lead at intermission.
 
A massive slam dunk and two free throws from Spencer Rodgers had the Bears on top 49-27 with 19:30 left in the game.
 
East Central pulled to within 51-36 with 16:58 left; they would come no closer the rest of the game.
 
Robert Kendrick launched a three pointer with 6:21 to go to play to put the Bears up 79-28.

The Bears then took their largest lead of the game, 93-58, on a David Greer bucket with 0:22 showing and went on to get the 31-point victory.
 
"Our goal at the beginning of the year was to make post-season play and we did it," said Bears head coach Bryan Bender. "I'm really proud of our group for being able to come together."
 
"It was good to get a win," Bender continued, "especially on the road (and) close our season the right way. We doubled our win total in conference play (from) a year ago. I'm really proud of our guys for coming here and taking care of business. (Now) we're going to get ready for Monday night (in the MACJC tournament)."
 
Dear led the Bears' offense with 17 points in the game while Kpegeol scored 16 and Rogers had 13. Black netted 12 points, Greer 11 and Kendrick 10.
 
The Bears made 13 of 20 free throws.
 
East Central's JaMichael Wilson led all scorers with 18 points. He and his teammates went 6-11 at the free throw line.
 
The Bears will open tournament play Monday against the North's top seed, Northeast Mississippi Community College. Game time will be announced sometime Friday.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Damian Dear

#5 Damian Dear

G
6' 0"
Sophomore
Robert Kendrick

#3 Robert Kendrick

G
6' 2"
Sophomore
Goodnews Kpegeol

#12 Goodnews Kpegeol

G/F
6' 6"
Redshirt Freshman
Spencer Rodgers

#22 Spencer Rodgers

G
6' 4"
Sophomore
David Greer

#24 David Greer

C
7' 0"
Sophomore
Ryan Black

#30 Ryan Black

G
6' 2"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Damian Dear

#5 Damian Dear

6' 0"
Sophomore
G
Robert Kendrick

#3 Robert Kendrick

6' 2"
Sophomore
G
Goodnews Kpegeol

#12 Goodnews Kpegeol

6' 6"
Redshirt Freshman
G/F
Spencer Rodgers

#22 Spencer Rodgers

6' 4"
Sophomore
G
David Greer

#24 David Greer

7' 0"
Sophomore
C
Ryan Black

#30 Ryan Black

6' 2"
Sophomore
G