Robinson’s last-second shot tames Tigers

PERKINSTON — Tied with 18.1 seconds left and desperately needing a big win, Mississippi Gulf Coast needed a big shot. Jabarie Robinson delivered.

His pull-up, mid-range jumper from the right wing with 1.7 seconds left was the difference in a 73-71 win in MACCC men's basketball action.

"We needed this W badly for the school, for the team, everybody," the freshman guard from Raymond said. "We just had to pull that out. I saw a little opening and I just took the shot."

Darius Dawson (So., Sumter S.C./West Florence) had 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead Gulf Coast, which improved to 8-10 overall, 2-4 MACCC. He scored six straight points to give Gulf Coast as 33-29 lead with 3:10 to play in the first half, and the Bulldogs would not trail again. 

They led by 10 points at halftime and eight with 7:19 to play before Coahoma (9-5, 2-2 MACCC). The Tigers started chipping away and tied it up at 71 on a contested 3-pointer from the corner with 18.1 seconds to play, setting the stage for Robinson's heroics.

"JB hit a big shot," Gulf Coast coach Tim Ryan said. "Those are the kinds of things we need."

Dawson had 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field, including 3-of-5 from behind the arc. The Bulldogs made 10-of-26 (38.5 percent) from the 3-point line. JaVon Anderson (So., Columbia S.C./Ridge View) had 14 points, and Demarcus Powe (Fr., Meridian/Meridian) had 12 points, all on 3-pointers while shooting 4-of-7.

Point guard Donovan Sanders (So., Walls/Lake Cormorant) had six points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists. Idell Walton (Fr., Tampa Fla./SLAM Tampa) had seven boards, as well.

Gulf Coast fought to a 37-37 standstill on the boards, a big result against a much longer Tiger team.

"Coach told me before the game we had to control the boards," said Dawson, who had his fourth double-double. "I feel like I did a good job of doing that. Luckily, I was hitting shots. So, I'm happy for that win. I'm happy for the win, and hopefully, we can do it Thursday."

Gulf Coast hits the road to play East Central. Tipoff in Decatur will be at 6 p.m.

For more information on MGCCC's 11 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.