Indians drop overtime heartbreaker in Scooba, 80-75

Indians drop overtime heartbreaker in Scooba, 80-75 
Lee Adams/LetsGoICC.com

SCOOBA, MS - A second half rally propelled East Mississippi Community College to an 80-75 overtime victory over Itawmaba Community College Thursday night.

The Indians (12-10, 5-6 MACJC North) came out the gate with the hot hand as Martaveous McKnight (Walls) drained two three-pointers and set a tone for the contest with postseason implications. In the first half, the Indians grabbed and stretched the lead to as much has 15 point, but the Lions rallied to cut the lead down to 36-29 by halftime.

Over the first five minutes of the second half, the Lions (17-4, 6-4 MACJC North) cut the lead down to three, 39-36, but the Indians answered with an 18-0 run to take a 21 point advantage. 

The Indians held a 57-36, lead with under nine minutes remaining in the second half, but the Lions chipped away at the big lead as they went on a 17-0 run. With under a minute left in regulation, the Indians were clinging to a one point lead, until the Lions hit a three-pointer to take a 64-62 lead.

In the closing seconds, Quentin Taylor (Edison, GA) hit a jumper to tie the contest and force overtime tied at 64-64.

The teams traded baskets in overtime and McKnight drained a three-pointer with 48.6 remaining to tie the contest at 75-75, but the Lions managed to regain the lead and pick up the 80-75 victory.

Barri Hill (Jasper, AL) and McKnight paced the Indians with 15 points each, followed by Cody North (Tremont) with 11 and Carter Sweat (Piperton, TN) with 10.

Daniel Simmons led the Lions with a game-high 29 points.

The Indians will wrap up the regular season on Monday when they host Mississippi Delta Community College. Tipoff is set for 8:00 pm

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