UTICA - The CCC Tiger Basketball team tangled with Hinds in one of the most thrilling games in the MACJC so far this season, going to the wire with the Bulldogs in Utica before ultimately falling 79-78. Da'Quan Forrest led the way for CCC with 24 points. 

CCC took an early advantage in the game, building an early 7-0 run on the strength of triples by LaTerrence Henderson and Dewuan Fowler, who also registered two thunderous blocks in the game's opening minutes. But Hinds would roar back, going on a 15-0 run of their own and seizing a 50-39 halftime advantage despite 3 3's by Forrest midway through the period. 

CCC battled back to open the 2nd, cutting the lead to 1 by going on a 10-0 run. Hinds would once again respond to the opening salvos with a run of its own though. Bobby Powell scored 11 consecutive points and assisted on another bucket to cap a 13-0 run that briefly seemed to put the game out of reach. 

The combo of Monte Martin, Henderson and Forrest would keep hope alive for CCC though. A corner 3 in the game's waning minutes by Forrest cut the Hinds lead to 1, and with under 50 seconds to go, LaTerrence Henderson tied the game with a spectacular spin move on the baseline that led to a lay up to make it 77-76.

With under 20 to go and back up 1, Hinds inbounded from the sideline at midcourt. Jonathan Ankston stripped the Hinds ballhandler and drew a foul on the ensuing break, going to the line with 12.2 seconds to go. Ankston coolly knocked down both free throws to give CCC a 78-77 lead. Corey McLaurin, who would finish with 22, immediately led a Hinds break the other way. Slicing through the CCC trap, he found his way into the lane and put in a floater with 6 seconds left. Forrest's last-attempt 3 was off-line, and the win went to Hinds, 79-78. The Bulldogs improved to 1-1 on the season while the Tigers fell to 0-2.

"Even though we've started off the season 0-2, sometimes you've got to lose to win," head coach Michael Stringer said. "I'm looking forward to our guys responding. One great thing about this situation is now our guys hate losing. And that's one of the most important things. Once you hate losing that means you're willing to do whatever you've got to do to help you win."

Henderson finished with 14 points. Martin poured in 18 on 8 of 11 shooting from the field and 8 of 10 from the line. He also added 7 rebounds. Forrest finished 6 of 9 from 3-point land on his way to a collegiate career-high 24. 

CCC opens its home schedule Monday vs. Meridian. Tip is slated for 8 pm. 

A live stream will be available through coahomasports.com.

For photos from the game vs. Hinds, click HERE.