RAYMOND — By the end of the first half of Thursday's MACCC South Division game against Hinds, things seemed pretty bleak for the Bears. The Eagles went on a run scoring 21-unanswered points to take a 28-7 lead at the break. And despite a furious comeback effort in the second half, tying the score late and forcing overtime, the Bears could not hang on in the end, falling 34-28.
 
After the game, Southwest head coach Cliff Collins praised his team for their comeback efforts.
 
"That's what I told them, I said that I am proud of you, but we just have to keep fighting," he said. "That was a resilient effort from our guys to bounce back and play like they did."
 
After both the Bears (1-5, 0-4 MACCC South) and the Eagles were unable to score with their respective opening possessions, the hosts struck first with a long drive that wrapped with a short touchdown run and successful PAT putting Southwest down 7-0.
 
But the Bears regained their composure as well and answered right back with a lengthy scoring drive of their own, culminating with a 7-yard touchdown run by Amarien Jefferson. Lyndell Boatman added the PAT tying the game at 7.
 
For the remainder of the first half, the Bears were unable to match that same consistency on the offensive side of the ball. The Eagle defense made adjustments to their game and the Bears had no answer. Hinds scored three more touchdowns putting Southwest down 28-7 at the half.
 
About 5:00 into the second half, things began to click once again for the Bears. Jefferson led a six-play, 80-yard drive that ended with his second score of the evening on yet another 7-yard touchdown run, this time showing his agility, changing direction four times before making his way into the end zone. Boatman's PAT cut the Eagle lead in half at 28-14.
 
At the 4:09 mark of the period, it was the defense's time to shine as Dante Thomas picked up a fumble and returned it 53-yards for a touchdown pulling Southwest even closer at 28-21.
 
Both teams continued to battle as Hinds was attempting to run down the clock while Southwest looked for the equalizer.
 
The Bears got it with under a minute to go. A Quez Goss 10-yard touchdown pass to Leslie Jefferson on a tipped ball coupled with Boatman's PAT tied the game at 28 with :16 left.
 
In overtime, the Bears could not find the end zone. A costly penalty pushed the ball back and a field goal attempt was unsuccessful keeping the score tied.
 
Hinds took advantage of the momentum swing driving down toward the goal line before a short touchdown run sealed the win for the hosts.
 
Jefferson led the Bears completing 10-of-17 passes for 90 yards to go along with 69 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Defensively, Ethan Williams had a big performance recording 12 tackles.
 
The Bears will be back in action one week from Saturday hosting Jones at 5 p.m. for Homecoming.