The Coahoma Community College men's basketball team forced an overtime against Meridian Community College, but ultimately fell short on the scoreboard.
The Tigers began the game with a 13-3 run, and led 36-29 at halftime. The scoring was well-distributed across the roster, as Quan Brown, Ben Galmore, Gregg Magee, Mook Harris, Damon Haynes, and Kei Johnson each scored at least five points for Coahoma in the opening half.
Meridian never led until the final five minutes of the game, taking its first lead with a 3-pointer by Zebadiah Kirkwood. That made the score 59-58 with 4:21 to play in regulation. For the remaining four-plus minutes, the game was almost scoreless. At the end of the second half, the score was tied 60-60. In overtime, the Eagles outscored CCC 12-4 and won 72-64 victory.
Galmore, Harris, Johnson, and Brown each scored in double figures for Coahoma. Brown led the way with 15 points.
Beyond point totals, there were both positive and negative stats for the Tigers. In fact, several stats reveal that taking this game to overtime was quite the accomplishment. Coahoma committed 18 turnovers, shot less than 50 percent from the floor, hit less than a third of their 3-pointers, and made less than half of their free throws.
Sometimes, the shots just don’t fall. Still, the Tigers held off a late charge by Meridian and forced the game into overtime. For that, they should be applauded.
Coahoma’s record stands at 4-6 (0-1 MACCC) this season; MCC is 9-2 (1-1 MACCC).
Getting a well-deserved Christmas holiday break, the Tigers do not play again until Jan. 6, 2022 at Hinds Community College.
