Five double-digit Lion scorers highlight 122-63 win over Royal Ambassadors Christian School

SCOOBA – The East Mississippi Community College Lions posted a basketball doubleheader sweep Monday night at Keyes T. Currie Coliseum in their final home hoops action before the Thanksgiving holiday break.  The EMCC women claimed a 71-59 win over Snead State Community College, while the Lions completed the sweep with a commanding 122-63 victory over Royal Ambassadors Christian School in the men's nightcap.

In the fast-paced men's nightcap, the outcome was never in question after the Lions raced to a 10-0 start.  Led by Markedric Bell's 14 first-half points on 6-of-9 shooting, EMCC held an insurmountable 64-29 halftime advantage that continued to balloon throughout the second stanza.

While emptying their bench and playing without two injured players, the Lions shot 57 percent (50-of-88) from the field for the game as a team.  EMCC's quintet of double-figure scorers was headed by Robert Davis Jr. with a game-high 19 points on 8-of-11 accuracy from the field.  Bell was also 8-of-11 from the floor in totaling 18 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

New Hope High School product Terryonte Thomas finished with 15 points for the winners, while Ill'yan Scott added a double-double with 14 points on 7-of-8 field goals and 10 rebounds in addition to blocking four shots.  Jerrian Young also contributed 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench for Coach Billy Begley's 4-0 Lions.

Based out of Jackson, the Lions of Royal Ambassadors Christian School were led by Quindarius Gibson's 16 points.

In the women's contest, the Lions created some distance from Snead State by making a 10-2 run to open the second half and mount a double-digit lead (37-27).  After the two teams played to a 13-13 first-quarter tie, EMCC held a narrow 27-25 halftime advantage.

The visiting Lady Parsons managed to cut the deficit to a single point (39-38) by the 2:20 mark of the third quarter with seven unanswered points.  EMCC responded by taking a 47-41 lead into the final period.

Shooting 65 percent from the field as a team during the second half, the Lions steadily rebuilt a double-figure margin that grew to 16 points before they settled for the 12-point victory while improving their record to 2-2 on the year.

Sophomore guard Tyeisha Juhan, coming off the bench, finished with a game-high 24 points on 10-of-19 shooting to go along with seven rebounds and four steals.  Columbus' Kayla Rogers followed with 15 points and seven boards, while Jordanna Morris and Kaisah Lucky added 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the winners.

Snead State, from Boaz, Ala., was led by Tamia King and Caitlin Carter with 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Both East Mississippi basketball teams resume home hoops action on Monday, Nov. 27 by playing host to Shelton State Community College on the Scooba campus.  A 5:30 p.m. women's game will be followed by a 7:30 p.m. men's contest at EMCC's Currie Coliseum.