CLARKSDALE - The CCC Tigers pulled out a thrilling victory over East Central Monday night in The Pinnacle. With the game tied at 76 in the closing seconds, Rufus Wilkins connected on a long jumper to cap a furious Tiger comeback effort and give the squad its second win of the year, 78-76.
The Tigers were led early by LaTerrence Henderson, who had 11 in the first half, Da'Quan Forrest, who would finish with 4 3's, and Jonathan Ankston, who racked up 9 points and 8 assists before fouling out with 10 minutes left in the game.
East Central would use a late run in the first to build a 10-point advantage. But Wilkins, in a sign of things to come, canned a long 2 just before the halftime buzzer that seized some momentum for CCC and made it a 44-36 game headed to the locker rooms.
The Tigers capitalized on that momentum in the 2nd. Dewuan Fowler, held scoreless in the 1st, sprung to life in the later period, going 8-of-12 from the field and ending up with 20 points. Fowler's usual array of dazzling finishes at the rim and long-distance 3's invigorated the crowd and kept The Pinnacle rocking.
Down 74-69 in the game's waning minutes, Forrest hit a corner 3 to bring CCC back within 2. Fowler then used his elusiveness to open up a 19-footer for the tie. Monte Martin would put back a Forrest miss moments later to give CCC the lead, 76-74.
After East Central tied the game on a pair of free throws, CCC took the ball back, and it was once again Wilkins' time to step up. The Friars Point native knocked down a long jumper that initially appeared to be a 3 with 10 seconds left, giving the Tigers a lead they would not relinquish. Wilkins would finish with 11 points in 31 minutes.
"We get really fired up playing at home," head coach Michael Stringer said, noting that fan support in The Pinnacle was outstanding. "I'm just proud of all the guys - all the players and all the support. We just wish that we can continue on this streak, but everybody has got to understand that we still have a long way to go. We've got to get consistent in everything we do… We've just got to keep on moving forward, keep on pushing, and the sky's the limit."
The loss dropped ECCC to 2-2. The Tigers, who had previously been defeated by the Warriors 97-79 in Decatur, earned their second win in a week on the floor of The Pinnacle. They next take on Meridian CC Monday, November 23rd in Meridian. Tip in the rematch vs. the Eagles is slated for 7:30 PM.
A live stream will be available through coahomasports.com.
