CLARKSDALE- The CCC men's basketball team has been steadily improving this season. They had an opportunity to send a message to the MACJC North division in a matchup against Northeast Mississippi Community College. "The Battle of the Tigers" went down to the wire on Monday night. Alfonzo Green knocked down the three-pointer that gave Coahoma a 64-62 victory.
Northeast (7-1, 0-1 MACJC North) had two attempts to win the game. DeAnthony Tipler missed a jumper. Jordan Temple didn't make his three-pointer at the buzzer, handing Coahoma the big win.
Northeast had gotten off to a hot start with consecutive baskets by Jamarcus Jones. The Tigers took an early 13-3 lead.
Coahoma came back with a 10-0 run. Dequan Morris scored consecutive baskets including a powerful dunk to spark the comeback. Terry Williams knocked down a three-pointer to tie the game at 15-15.
Morris continued to take care of business with consecutive layups giving Coahoma a 26-25 lead.
Robert Boyd got in on the fun scoring with a put back dunk that had Coahoma at a 32-27 lead at the half.
Coahoma went back to work in the 2nd half with consecutive baskets by Denori Berry and Cornelius Holly, extending the lead to 36-31.
Northeast came back when Jalen Perkins knocked down a jumper to tie the game at 36-36.
Both teams went blow for blow in the 2nd half. Northeast took charge of the game when Antares Gwyn scored a driving layup that helped them achieve their biggest lead of the game 57-50 with 4:38 remaining.
Kendall Richardson left the bench for Coahoma and knocked down consecutive three-pointers to cut the lead to 62-60 with 1:15 remaining.
Two Northeast players scored in double figures. Jones led the Tigers with 14 points and five rebounds. JaQuante Bell contributed 11 points and five rebounds.
Three of the Mighty Tigers scored in double figures. Morris led the Tigers with 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Holly scored 11 points, four rebounds and three assists. Berry had 10 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks.
"We showed our will to keep pushing and the hard work paid off," said Coahoma Head Coach Micheal Stringer. "I'm so glad we got this win, but we still have a long season to go. Things are changing around here at Coahoma and the foundation is laid. We are looking for more exciting things to happen."
Coahoma goes to (3-5, 1-0 MACJC North) on the season and will take on Arkansas Baptist for the 3rd time this season on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018 in Little Rock, Arkansas. The tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Viewers can catch the game online live at www.coahomasports.com/watch and on Coahoma's radio station WCQC 91.3 FM.
