EMCC Lady Lions drop tough 51-48 decision at Holmes in division hoops lid-lifter

GOODMAN – The visiting East Mississippi Community College Lady Lions dropped their division opener by a narrow 51-48 margin to the home-standing Lady Bulldogs of Holmes Community College Thursday evening at Frank Branch Coliseum.

The EMCC women managed to cut a 10-point, first-half deficit in half to trail 25-20 at the halftime break.  After falling back by nine points (31-22) three minutes into the closing period, the EMCC women went on an 11-1 run to claim their first lead since early in the contest.

Seven lead changes later, Holmes' DeNesha Dillard drilled a clutch 3-pointer with about three minutes left to put the Lady Bulldogs on top (43-41) for good.  Powered by the inside play of freshman post player Savannah Kimmons, the EMCC women had their chances down the stretch.

With less than a minute remaining in the contest and trailing 47-44, EMCC easily broke Holmes' press and Leah Isabelle nailed a wide-open perimeter jumper.  However, the freshman's foot was on the three-point line to keep it a one-point margin.  During the final seconds after Kosciusko product Jessica Miles put the Lady Bulldogs on top 51-48 with a pair of crucial charity tosses, Isabelle then found herself involved in the game's final play.  This time, the Pass Christian native received a kick-out pass from a driving Takera Mitchell.  Opting not to pull up for the potential game-tying trey attempt, Isabelle chose to drive to the basket and was whistled for travelling with the game clock running out. 

In dropping their sixth straight decision, head coach Sharon Thompson's EMCC Lady Lions fell to 1-7 on the campaign.  Kimmons, from Horn Lake High School, tallied 11 of her team-high 15 points in the second half.  Mitchell followed with 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists but was hampered by 11 turnovers.

Improving to 4-5 on the year and snapping a four-game losing skid, the Lady Bulldogs were paced by Tamia Grady's game-high 18 points.  Miles added a dozen points and team-high nine rebounds for the winners.

The EMCC women stay on the road to battle unbeaten (8-0) Shelton State Community College Monday night (Dec. 3) in Tuscaloosa.  The Lady Lions and Lions will then head to Decatur together to take on rival East Central Community College Thursday evening (Dec. 6).