EMCC Lions improve to 7-0 with 104-65 home triumph over Faith Prep Academy

SCOOBA – The East Mississippi Community College men's basketball team improved to 7-0 on the season with a solid 104-65 home victory over Faith Prep Academy during Monday night action at Keyes T. Currie Coliseum.

Coach Billy Begley's EMCC Lions never trailed in the contest, though the short-handed Warriors were within six points (31-25) with seven minutes remaining in the opening half.  While dressing out just seven players for the contest, the visitors by way of West Memphis, Arkansas drained five 3-pointers during the opening stanza to stay within reach early. 

Sparked by freshman Nat Dixon's 15 first-half points on 6-of-9 shooting, EMCC went on a 20-7 run over the final seven minutes of the half to take a comfortable 51-32 advantage into halftime. 

The Lions stayed hot following intermission by scoring the first seven points of the second half on the way to opening up a 65-34 advantage five minutes into the second stanza.  The margin reached 40 points (86-46) on a David McFarland basket midway through the half.  EMCC later eclipsed the century mark with 2:12 remaining on a pair of Anterio McKines free throws.

With Dixon leading the way with a game-high 19 points, the Lions put five players in double figures on the night.  The Boston College transfer by way of Panama City, Florida was also credited with six steals and three assists.  Sophomore Daniel Simmons, from Biggersville, was next with 17 points, including four second-half treys, followed by McFarland's 14 points.  Montrael Nabors and McKines added 13 and 11 points, respectively, for the victors.

As a team for the game, the Lions shot 55 percent (40-of-73 FGs) from the field, including 10-of-21 (48%) from beyond the three-point arc, and 74 percent (14-of-19 FTs) from the charity stripe.

Jordan Brown paced a quartet of double-digit Faith Prep Academy scorers with 16 points.

The East Mississippi basketball teams are set to tip off MACJC North Division action Thursday evening by playing host to Northeast Mississippi Community College.  A 5:30 p.m. women's game will be followed by a 7:30 p.m. men's contest at Currie Coliseum on the Scooba campus.