Lady Indians fall to East Central in MACJC Finals
Lee Adams/LetsGoICC.com 

FULTON, MS - Itawamba Community College battled East Central Community College in the MACJC Women's Championship Game Thursday night, and despite their efforts, fell 75-63.

"We got beat by a very good East Central team," said ICC head coach Nanci Gray. "We broke down in a few areas, but our girls played their hearts out." 

The Lady Indians (20-6) were in a back-and-forth battle early in the title game, and trailed by only one, 18-17, at the end of the first quarter.

East Central extended their lead early in the second frame, but a three-pointer by Grace Elliott (New Site) cut the Lady Warriors' lead down to 29-26 with just under five minute left in the half. The Lady Warriors (24-2) would hold on to the three point advantage over the final minutes to hold a 38-35 lead at the break.

The Lady Indians trailed by six at the end of the third quarter, but Jabria Pounds (Nettleton) hit back-to-back three-pointers to start the fourth and to cut the lead to 54-51. However, the Lady Warriors would extend their lead in the final frame to pick up the 75-63 win and the MACJC Championship.

Pounds paced the Lady Indians with 15 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Alontra Tucker (Lamar) with 14 points and Ieysha Mays (Mound Bayou) with 10. [Box Score]

Alexia McDonald and Samantah Duncan led the Lady Warriors with 20 points each. 

Despite the loss, the Lady Indians' season is not over as they will compete in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament next week in Clinton.

"We are excited to get another chance to play next week," said Gray. "We'll give the girls some time off and then start preparing for the region tournament."

The Lady Indians will face Southwest at noon on Wednesday, March 2 at Mississippi College.

Southwest 94, Jones County 83 OT (M) [Box Score]

For the first time since 1963, the Southwest Bears (17-8) celebrated winning the MACJC Men's Basketball Tournament with an exciting 94-83 overtime victory over the Jones County Bobcats (17-7).

Rodrick Sikes scored a game-high 31 points with Bryce Baker and James Hawthorne adding 13 each whiled Lafayette Rutledge and Guy Johnson tossed in 10 points in the victory.

Bruce Stevens led the Bobcats with 19 points.

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