CLARKSDALE- Coahoma's Lady Tigers have been improving all season long. The biggest hurdle they've had to jump is getting their first division victory since 2016. Head Coach Stephanie Murphy continues having unwavering faith in her players and her program. The Lady Tigers stepped their game up to next level in their matchup against Itawamba, taking into account that the Lady Indians came in as the best team in the MACJC North Division with a 10-game winning streak. Coahoma fought tooth and nail with a shot for the upset. Itawamba Community College made big plays down the stretch to seize a 59-55 victory at the Pinnacle.
Itawamba (12-2, 4-0 MACJC North) took an early 5-0 lead driven by Kealy Wilson's three pointer. Walneika Holmes answered, scoring Coahoma's first 5 points. After a tied score of 5-5, Kaylyn Wilson and Taneshia Miller scored consecutive layups to give Itawamba an 11-7 lead. Coahoma bounced back with six straight points by Holmes, tying the game at 13-13. Itawamba's Shaniyah Buford made a three pointer that gave them a 16-13 lead.
Coahoma got a hot start to the 2nd quarter with a 9-0 run. Khiyee Robinson knocked down a three-pointer to give the Lady Tigers a 22-16 lead. Itawamba came back when Miller and Kealy Wilson shot baskets to give their team a 22-20 lead at the half.
The Lady Indians started the 2nd half on an 8-0 run that took a 28-22 lead. Miller scored consecutive baskets during the run. The Lady Tigers came back with an 8-2 run helped by Ke'Aisa Pittman's driving layup which tied the game at 30-30. Itawamba took charge with a 13-2 run to close the 3rd quarter. Zaria Jenkins scored consecutive layups that gave the Lady Indians a 43-32 lead.
The Lady Tigers fought to stay alive in the 4th quarter. Holmes knocked down a three pointer. Robinson and Arianna Thigpen scored consecutive layups that cut the lead to 48-44. Itawamba answered with consecutive layups by Kaylyn Wilson and Tabreea Gandy, which extended the lead to 52-46.
Holmes and Robinson combined for six straight points that cut the lead to 52-50 with 2:44 remaining. Coahoma had a chance to tie the game or take the lead but missed three straight shots on one possession. Itawamba came up big with a layup by Kaylyn Wilson, extending the lead to 54-50 with 30 seconds remaining. They made five of six free throws to put the game away.
Itawamba had three players to score in double figures. Kealy Wilson led the Lady Indians with 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Gandy finished with 11 points and three rebounds. Buford finished with 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Three of Coahoma's Lady Tigers also ended the game in double figures. Holmes led the Lady Tigers with 25 points, five rebounds and two steals. Robinson ended with 12 points and six rebounds. Thigpen finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
"We did a good job on defensive game plan but their second-chance points hurt us," said Murphy. "We challenged them and they didn't lay down. The effort was good and we played extremely hard. We just have to learn how to close out games."
Coahoma goes to 5-10 on the season, 0-5 in the MACJC North Division. The Tigers have recently played their final non-conference game of the season against Southern Arkansas University Tech on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. Stream the games live online at www.coahomasports.com/watch and tune in on Coahoma's radio station WCQC, which broadcasts on 91.3 FM.
