Indians close 2012 with 64-59 overtime win over Meridian

Indians close 2012 with 64-59 overtime win over Meridian
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com

MERIDIAN, MS -- Itawamba Community College closed the 2012 half of the season with a 64-59 overtime road victory over Meridian Community College on Saturday behind a 23-point effort from sophomore guard Deontaye Ewing (Tupelo).

"I don't feel like we were too focused in the first half," said ICC head basketball coach Grant Pate. "We had a spirited timeout to get the guys woke up and focused on playing basketball and luckily was able to find a way to come away with a win on the road."

Down 24-23 at the half, ICC battled back to tie the game 47-47 before outscoring Meridian 17-12 in overtime to pick up the win.

"We struggled in the paint," said Pate. "They did a good job of forcing our offense away from the basket and keeping us off the boards on both sides of the floor."

Ewing scored a game-high 23 points with 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals while Johnthan McGee (Jackson) added 15 points and 11 rebounds for his first collegiate double-double performance.

"Johnthan played extremely well," said Pate. "We were looking for someone to step up and give us some type of presence in the paint and I felt like he did a good job of giving up that force down low especially late in the game."

Jacques Johnson (Jackson) had 10 points in the win.

The Indians close the 2012 half of the season 7-4, 1-1 and will return to the hardwood on January 8 when they host Arkansas Baptist College.