Skip To Main Content

Southwest Mississippi Community College

Scoreboard

Bears win at East Mississippi, 97-85, to open Region XXIII tourney

By: Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information
Mazae Blake
Chuck Barnes

Men's Basketball | 4/1/2021 9:27:00 PM

With seven players scoring in double figures, the Bears opened play in the NJCAA Region XXIII Tournament in fine fashion Thursday night as they defeated the host East Mississippi Lions 97-85 in Scooba.
 
With the win, the Bears moved to 8-9 on the season. East Mississippi ended their season at 11-6.
 
The Bears took an early 6-0 advantage in the game and went on to lead by as many as 14 points before taking a 41-39 lead into the locker room at intermission.
 
The battle stayed close in the second half. East Mississippi took its first lead of the night, 55-53, with 14:20 left in the game.
 
East Mississippi took its largest lead of the game, 65-59, with 11:04 still to play.
 
But, the Bears would not quit as they regained the lead, 72-70, with 7:04 to go. They would not trail the rest of the way.
 
"Seven guys in double figures is the ultimate," said Bears head coach Bryan Bender. "(It's) the definition of team basketball. I'm very proud of our guys for playing together."
 
"It was a gutsy performance for start to finish," Bender continued, "and we are grateful to be on the winning side again (the victory ended a seven-game slide for the Bears). Our staff was outstanding tonight. The scout was impeccable, the preparation on both sides of the and the adjustments they made won us the game. We are a dangerous team when we play together and (there's) no better time than now."
 
Mazae Blake led the Bears' offense with 17 points while Javius Moore finished with 15 points.
 
Tada Stricklen had 12 points. Michael Barber and Nate Hudson both had 11and Mykayle Carter and Querrion Gadson both had 10.
 
The Bears made 27 of 34 free throws.
 
East Mississippi's Jakorie Smith led all scorers with 22 points. He and his teammates went 25-33 at the free throw line.

The Bears continue tournament play on April 6 when they travel to Utica to face the Hinds Bulldogs. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00.
 
 
 
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Querrion Gadson

#10 Querrion Gadson

G
6' 1"
Sophomore
Mykayle Carter

#2 Mykayle Carter

G
6' 6"
Sophomore
Tada Stricklen

#4 Tada Stricklen

G
6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
Javius Moore

#1 Javius Moore

G/F
6' 7"
Freshman
Zae Blake

#5 Zae Blake

G
6' 1"
Freshman
Michael Barber

#13 Michael Barber

F/C
6' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
Nate Hudson

#24 Nate Hudson

F
6' 6"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Querrion Gadson

#10 Querrion Gadson

6' 1"
Sophomore
G
Mykayle Carter

#2 Mykayle Carter

6' 6"
Sophomore
G
Tada Stricklen

#4 Tada Stricklen

6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
G
Javius Moore

#1 Javius Moore

6' 7"
Freshman
G/F
Zae Blake

#5 Zae Blake

6' 1"
Freshman
G
Michael Barber

#13 Michael Barber

6' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
F/C
Nate Hudson

#24 Nate Hudson

6' 6"
Freshman
F