Indians avenge early-season loss to Lawson State

Indians avenge early-season loss to Lawson State
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com

FULTON, MS – Itawamba Community College avenged an early-season loss to Lawson State Community College with a 71-58 victory at the Davis Event Center on Thursday.

"This was a big win especially coming off a loss like we had on Monday," said ICC head coach Grant Pate. "I was proud to see how the guys shook off the loss and came back focused on getting a win over a team that put it on us pretty good earlier in the year."

The Indians dropped a 73-46 decision to Lawson in November.

Sophomore Deontaye Ewing (Tupleo) scored a team-high 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.

"Deontaye took the loss to Coahoma personal," said Pate. "He didn't have his best game of the year, but he came back to practice the next day determined to make up for that and stepped up as a leader to help bring the team back after the disappointing loss."

Sophomore point guard Quintin Lee (Ripley, TN) added 10 points, 5 assists and 3 steals in the win.

"We challenged Q a few weeks ago to be that point guard we needed and he has responded well to that challenge," Pate commented. "He has taken more of a role as a scorer, but still manages the game knowing when to push and then knowing when we need to slow down to gather ourselves."

ICC connected on 20-of-29 (69%) from the free throw line, including 10-straight in the final two minutes of the game.

"It's the little things that win basketball games," said Pate. "We put the guys in game-like situations during practice when we are on the free throw line for moments like tonight."

Ewing and Jacques Johnson (Jackson) combined for 12-of-18 from the charity stripe while Tory Rice (Starkville) connected on all four of his attempts.