CLARKSDALE- The CCC Women's Basketball squad persisted through a tough and busy week. They were looking to get payback against East Central Community College. The game was a tale of two halves for both teams. Coahoma played a productive 1st half, but East Central played a better second half and finished with a 64-49 victory.
East Central took an early 12-6 lead. Coahoma came back with layups by JaNethia Burke and Walneika Holmes, cutting the lead to 17-14.
The Lady Tigers went on a 13-0 run late in the 1st half. Khiyee Robinson knocked down consecutive three-pointers, which gave Coahoma a 27-19 lead. East Central stopped the run with a three-pointer by Feria Mays and cut the lead to 27-22 at the half.
Robinson started the second half where she left off. She scored another three-pointer to extend the lead to 30-24, a lead that would soon be chipped by the Lady Warriors. Mays scored five straight points that gave East Central a 36-34 lead and never looked back. East Central put the game out of reach when they outscored Coahoma 16-8 in the 4th quarter.
Timia Dora led East Central with 12 points and six rebounds. Mays of the East Central Lady Warriors finished with eight points and two steals.
Three of Coahoma's players scored in double figures. Holmes led the Lady Tigers with 13 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Robinson finished with 13 points, two rebounds, and two steals. Arianna Thigpen contributed 11 points, two rebounds, five assists, and five steals.
"We did not come out with the same intensity and mindset in the second half. We were very undisciplined in the second half," said Coahoma Head Coach Stephanie Murphy. "If we look that good in the first half then you can do it in the second half. Our focus was completely off."
Earlier in the week, the Lady Tigers of Coahoma Community College made a big wave in the season series with a 49-36 victory against Arkansas Baptist. Arkansas Baptist took an early 9-5 lead. The Lady Tigers closed out the 1st quarter scoring 6 straight points. Holmes scored a layup that gave Coahoma an 11-9 lead.
The Lady Tigers took charge with an 8-0 run early in the second quarter. Holmes and Thigpen scored a pair of layups, extending the lead to 19-11. Kiara McCollins gave Coahoma a big left by scoring a jumper at the buzzer. Coahoma took a 24-15 lead at the half.
Coahoma pulled away in the third quarter by outscoring the Lady Buffs 16-4. Holmes and Thigpen scored another pair of jumpers to give the Lady Tigers a commanding 40-19 lead.
Sunny McCallister led Arkansas Baptist with 11 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. Keira Brice ended up with nine points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
Two of the Lady Tigers scored in double figures. Holmes led the Lady Tigers with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists. Thigpen finished with 12 points, two rebounds, and three assists.
"Wins don't have to look pretty, but we'll take an ugly win. We need to clean things up in the 4th quarter but the girls played a good all-around game," said Murphy.
Coahoma goes to 4-6 on the season. The Tigers will be on Holiday Break until Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019. They will battle Northwest Mississippi in an MACJC North Division game at the Pinnacle. The tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Viewers can catch the game online live at www.coahomasports.com/watch and on Coahoma's radio station, WCQC 91.3 FM.
