CLARKSDALE - The Lady Tigers earned their first victory of the 2015-16 season Monday in The Pinnacle, delighting the home crowd with a tenacious 69-65 victory over the visiting Meridian Lady Eagles. Diamond Love finished with 18 for CCC to lead the way.

The home squad started strong early, winning each of the first 3 quarters and taking a 52-51 lead into the 4th. After Meridian briefly took the lead, the Lady Tigers fought their way back and tied the game at 65. A key steal by Destiny Monix off a Meridian sidelines inbound would lead to a wide-open Love layup to put CCC up for good. Monix, who exited the game late with a leg injury before returning to play through the pain, would finish with 10 points and 6 assists, her finest all-around game of the season.

Eugenia Gilliam once again finished in double figures for the Lady Tigers, pouring in 15 to help key the win. Gilliam has scored at least 15 in each of the first 3 games of the year. Destiny Moody and Melvinisha Jenkins combined for 18 in a solid interior performance.

The Lady Tigers will quickly try to build on the momentum. They face Arkansas Baptist tonight at 6 in The Pinnacle.