CLARKSDALE- The Coahoma Mighty Tigers and Mississippi Delta Community College renewed their crosstown rivalry on Monday night. Both teams sought to get a big MACJC North division victory and bragging rights in the Mississippi Delta region. Coahoma had control of most of the 2nd half, but Mississippi Delta made a big comeback to make the game interesting. Ultimately, the Tigers came up big on the free-throw line to hold on for an 83-78 victory at the Pinnacle.
Both teams were in a hard-fought battle in the 1st half. Mississippi Delta took an early 8-3 lead when Travon Gibbs scored consecutive three-pointers.
Jordan O'Neal got the Tigers going with a powerful dunk.
Cornelius Holly knocked down a jumper tying the game 12-12.
The Trojans answered with a driving layup by Gibbs. They took a 16-12 lead.
Coahoma took the rest of the 1st half with a 19-2 run when
Jaylen Washington scored consecutive driving layups. With the energy pumping,
Kendall Richardson knocked down a three-pointer giving the Tigers a 37-20 lead.
Mississippi Delta bounced back by outscoring Coahoma 13-6 in the last 6:19 of the 1st half. Anfernee Diggins stepped up with a three-pointer and a dunk cutting Coahoma's lead to 43-33 at the half.
Richardson and
Cortez McCarty got things rolling for the Tigers in the 2nd half. Richardson scored consecutive three-pointers. In turn, McCarty scored a three-pointer and a driving layup. Coahoma had their largest lead of the game 60-39, with 12:53 remaining.
The Trojans made a massive comeback by outscoring Coahoma with a 21-6 run. Chavis Banks and Clinton Norfleet scored consecutive layups cutting the lead to 66-60 with 7:38 remaining.
Coahoma answered with a three-pointer by Richardson extending the lead to 71-61.
Mississippi Delta didn't go away that easily. Cartisco Brown scored a three-pointer cutting the deficit to 76-72 with 2:31 remaining.
Coahoma made five of seven free-throws in the last 2:31 to put the game out of reach for the Trojans. They shot 83% (34-41) from the free-throw line, including 24 for 29 in the 2nd half.
Mississippi Delta (8-9, 1-5 MACJC North) had four players that scored in double figures. Diggins led the Trojans with 19 points and six rebounds, Darius Jackson finished with 12 points and three rebounds. Norfleet scored 10 points, and four assists, and Banks scored 10 points and nine rebounds.
Coahoma had four players that scored in double figures. Richardson led the Tigers with 19 points, two rebounds, and two assists, McCarty finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Holly scored 14 points, three rebounds, and two assists, and O'Neal scored 13 points, five rebounds, and three rebounds.
"Things are getting better, and we are making sure we understand the situation that we are in," said Coahoma Head Coach Michael Stringer. "We did some great things, including shooting 83% from the free-throw line. The free-throw shooting was the difference in the game. Every great team goes on a run, but we have to stay poised and finish out. I think we did a great job holding on."
Coahoma goes to (7-9, 2-4 MACJC North) on the season.
The Tigers will battle Northeast Mississippi Community College in an MACJC North matchup. The game is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, at the Pinnacle, and tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The game will broadcast live at www.coahomasports.com/watch as well as on the College's radio station WCQC 91.3 FM.
