March 4, 2024

The Coahoma Community College Tigers faced off against the Jones Bobcats on Sophomore night in Clarksdale, MS, in a MACCC conference match-up. 

The game kicked off with Jones making a statement, landing two impressive three-pointers. However, Coahoma's dynamic duo, Jaden Slaughter and Jaqai Murray, quickly responded, narrowing the gap to 5-6 with 17 minutes left in the first half. The lead continued to shift, with Korea McKay pushing the Tigers ahead 13-12 with 15 minutes on the clock. Jones fought back, but RiCarvis Waters and McKay's three-pointers swung the momentum back in Coahoma's favor at 27-26 with 6 minutes remaining.

The first half was a seesaw battle, with DJ Belin tying the game at 37, only for the Tigers to grab a slim lead of 40-39 after Belin's three-pointer. Despite the back-and-forth, the Bobcats managed to head into halftime with a 43-40 advantage.

The second half saw Jones taking control, but Coahoma's dynamic sophomore duo, Jaqai Murray and Dontae Prescott, mounted a fierce comeback. With just 2 minutes left, the Tigers were within striking distance at 71-70. However, Jones regained control, securing a 78-73 victory.

Despite the tough loss, standout performances from Murray and McKay, both scoring 16 points, showcased the Tigers' resilience. The game marked a special night as six sophomores, Arthur Tate, DJ Belin, Dontae Prescott, Jaqai Murray, Jaden Slaughter, and Korea McKay, were honored. The Tigers shot at a solid 46 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point range.

Jaqai Murray, averaging an impressive 18 points per game, leads the conference in rebounds with 10 per game. Looking ahead, the Tigers will conclude their season on Thursday, March 7, 2024, facing MDCC on the road with a tip-off scheduled for 7:30 PM. The Coahoma Tigers currently stand at 10-12 (2-11).

STATS
Jaqai Murray: 16 points
Korea McKay II: 16 points
Jaden Slaughter: 14 points
DJ Belin, Dontae Prescott: 9 points each
RiCarvis Waters: 5 points
Jonathan Noudjihidi: 4 points