Lockett’s buzzer-beater lifts Lady Indians past Jones, 54-53

ELLISVILLE, Miss. – With 0.8 seconds left and the game slipping away, the Lady Indians used its final timeout to draw up one last look from midcourt.

The inbounds went to Tootie Lockett.

Lockett caught it clean and knocked down the game-winning jumper as time expired, lifting the Lady Indians to a 54-53 MACCC win at Jones College on Monday night.

The Lady Indians (14-7, 5-2 MACCC) carried a 40-38 lead into the fourth. After a Jones (16-4, 5-2 MACCC) turnover, Lockett came up with a steal, then Madison Dabbs extended the possession with an offensive rebound and found Lockett for a layup to make it 42-38. A few minutes later, Carlie Brock added more second-chance points, turning an offensive rebound into a layup for a 44-39 edge.

The Lady Bobcats answered with a run to tie it at 44-44 on a three with 5:45 left, and the final minutes stayed tight.

ICC stepped in front again at 3:22 when Chloe Chism hit a three to make it 48-45, but Jones answered to go up 49-48 on a layup with 1:39 remaining.

The Lady Indians responded. With 55 seconds left, Kelsi Dilworth buried a three off an assist from Emarie Boddie to put ICC back in front 51-49. Jones tied it again with 37 seconds left.

Down the stretch, Boddie split a pair at the line with 16 seconds remaining to give ICC a 52-51 lead. The Lady Bobcats answered late, getting an offensive rebound and a go-ahead layup with one second left to go up 53-52.

That set the stage for the final possession.

Out of the timeout, I'Xana Winters inbounded from midcourt to Lockett, and she delivered at the horn to seal the 54-53 win.

Lockett finished with 22 points, nine rebounds and four steals. Winters added 10 points, and Boddie pulled down 10 rebounds.

Up next, the Lady Indians return home Thursday to host the Southwest Lady Bears (6-12, 2-3 MACCC) on Alumni Night at the Davis Event Center. The Guaranty Bank opening tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.