February 26, 2007

 LADY TIGERS DOWN ECCC IN ROUND ONE

WESSON, Miss.--  After falling behind in the first half, the Northeast Lady Tigers basketball team used the 3-point shot to outscore East Central Community College in the second half and earn a 71-66 win in round one of the MACJC (Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges) State Tournament.

East Central’s Lady Warriors grabbed the halftime lead 32-27 after several first half lead changes. Northeast hit just 14-percent of its 3-point shots in the opening frame, and shot only 31-percent from the field. Northeast coach Ricky Ford obviously found the right words at halftime, as his Lady Tigers went 5-of-8 from behind the 3-point line in the second half, and also made 13-of-18 free throws en route to the five point victory.

Sophomore Mary Beth Smith (Falkner) was the team’s leading shooter from long range, hitting 4-of-7 three pointers. Smith finished the game with 14 points. Sophomore point guard Whitney Mayes (Corinth) was the team’s leading scorer with 18 points, including two 3-point baskets.

“I think it just took us a while to get comfortable shooting the basketball,” said Northeast coach Ricky Ford. “We shot it well at times in the first half, but not consistently. The second half was a case of our team calming down on offense, running the plays we called, being patient until the right person was open, and then that player knocking down the shots. Jessica Bender and Erica Grayson were also big for us in the second half rebounding the ball.”

Northeast will take on Itawamba Community College in the semifinals of the state tournament on Wednesday, February 28, at 1:30 p.m. in Wesson, Miss.

The game can be heard live on the radio on WKZU, 102.3 FM, or on live streaming audio at www.kudzu102.com.

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