EMCC Lions scratch out key 64-58 road win over Holmes in division hoops opener
The three-time reigning MACJC North Division Champion Lions of East Mississippi Community College successfully tipped off their division basketball slate with a key 64-58 road triumph over Holmes Community College Thursday evening at Frank Branch Coliseum.
GOODMAN – The three-time reigning MACJC North Division Champion Lions of East Mississippi Community College successfully tipped off their division basketball slate with a key 64-58 road triumph over Holmes Community College Thursday evening at Frank Branch Coliseum.
After trailing the better portion of the opening half and down 31-28 at the break, the Lions clamped down defensively to begin the second stanza on a 14-0 run. EMCC mounted a 45-32 advantage before the Bulldogs managed their first made field goal of the half on a reverse lay-in by Demarcus Lewis coming at the 10:50 mark. Holmes' first point of the second half didn't come until Kenitric Gillum hit 1-of-2 free throws at the 11:33 mark.
From there, the visitors maintained control of the division opener en route to claiming their seventh straight series win over Holmes dating back to the 2009-10 season. Also three-time defending champions of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament as national tournament participants, head coach Mark White's Lions are now 34-3 collectively in regular-season division play since 2009-10.
Entering the contest leading the NJCAA scoring ranks at 30.5 points per game, sophomore transfer Jarekious Bradley was held to a season-low scoring total but managed to still lead EMCC with 18 points against Holmes. The former Memphis East High School product by way of Midland College in Texas nailed a clutch, step-back 3-pointer to pad a precarious four-point lead to a 56-49 margin just under the 4:00 mark.
Former Brandon High School standout Trey Brown and fellow sophomore Micah Walker, of Jonesboro, Ark., followed with 10 points apiece for the winners, who improved to 4-1 on the season.
Falling to 5-4 overall, the Holmes Bulldogs were led by Lewis' game-high 24 points. Gillum and DeAndre Scott were next with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
The EMCC Lions will step out of division action to take on rival East Central Community College Thursday evening (Dec. 6) in Decatur.