CCC Wins Physical Matchup With Arkansas Baptist 85-81

5/16/13

CLARKSDALE – In a tough physical matchup between Coahoma Community College and Arkansas Baptist jazzed up with a Hallelujah chorus of referee whistles, the hometown Tigers squeaked out a 85-81 victory after leading as much as 16 points in the second half.

Courtesy of the officials, the Buffalo herd traveled to the free throw line 50 times, and scored 34 points; CCC made the trip 30 times for 20 points. In three-point field goals, Arkansas hit 3 of 13 attempts, and Coahoma made 7 of 19.

“We knew it was going to be a rough game,” said CCC Head Men’s Coach Ira Peterson.

“However we thought the competition would be a good way to get back in shape after the holidays and before our first conference game Thursday,” he continued.

Coahoma plays Northwest in Senatobia Nov. 29, and Peterson says his team has depth and talent including several tall players.

Although Arkansas jumped out front briefly following the tipoff, a trey by Tiger Patrick Brown tied at 8 followed by a crisp pass from Alan Morris to Brown for two more points and a triple by Desorvil Rigueson to send the CCC scoring machine into motion 19-16.

Coahoma’s small point guard Stacy Regular threaded the needle through traffic to score two points and a three-pointer to lead 26-19 with seven minutes remaining in the first half.

At halftime, CCC was ahead 33-30.

Tiger Patrick Brown opened the second period with a quick triple, and Alex Thompson’s pass to Alan Morris for an Alley-oop basket elevated Coahoma to 38 points, repeated again for 40 points over 32 for Arkansas.

Coahoma’s largest lead (52-36) was launched by Stanley Haywood ‘s triple followed by another three-pointer (55-40) with 11 minutes remaining.

Arkansas Baptist began closing its deficit via treks to the free throw line.

With 50 seconds remaining, CCC was ahead 82-75; at 35 seconds: 82-81 when Tiger Carson Darcee made a basket (84-81); and Jonathan Ankston made a free shot (85-81).

Leading the scoring for Coahoma were Alex Thompson with 21 points; Patrick Brown, 15; Alan Morris, 8; Stacy Regular and Rigues Desorvil, 7 each; Morris Adams, Carson Darcee, and Stanley Haywood, 6 each; Xavier Graves, 5; Charles Nash, 2; Telvin Askew and Jonathan Ankston, 1 each.

Scoring for Arkansas Baptist were Xavier Lee, 17 points; Brian Tardy, 15; Thomas Austin, 12; Jaleel McGhee, 11; Keelon Milton, 9; Marcus Leavy and DeVario Pierce, 4 each; Cedrick Pickett and Joshua Tarver, 3 each; Mike Howard, 2; and Arthur Gray, 1.

The Lady Tigers did not play Tuesday night, but will play the Lady Rangers in Senatobia Thursday.