Gulf Coast beats Meridian, stays unbeaten

Mississippi Gulf Coast coach Wendell Weathers said he saw his team suffer a natural letdown Monday at Meridian after last week's big victory over Jones.

The Bulldogs, though, were still good enough to stay unbeaten, downing the Eagles 95-80.

"It was a big game Thursday against a team that's supposed to be the best in the conference," Weathers said. "Our kids played really well in that game, but tonight they were just out there. The whole first half looked like a pickup game."

Anfernee Hampton led Gulf Coast with 24 points. Davion Cole-Johnson chipped in 22 points.

Gulf Coast, the only unbeaten team in the state, is 9-0 overall, 2-0 in the MACJC South Division.

Meridian falls to 4-4, 0-2.

Gulf Coast led 36-27 at half before exploding for 59 points in the second half to pull away.

"I thought we were very careless, very nonchalant and very sloppy offensively most of the time. That's just a repercussion of the game Thursday night and not getting mentally prepared Saturday and Sunday."

The Bulldogs return to action Wednesday at Delgado. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.