Bulldogs move back into 4th with OT win

Mississippi Gulf Coast needed overtime Tuesday in Utica, but the Bulldogs were able to climb back into fourth place in the MACCC men's basketball standings. Gulf Coast won 78-72 over Hinds.

"It was just another tough, physical game on the road," Bulldogs coach Owen Miller said. "I'm proud of how we were able to finish the game."

Jabbari Barry (Fr., Lake Charles La./Barbe) led Gulf Coast with 15 points, and three of his teammates also reached double digits. Duran Parish (Fr., Biloxi/Biloxi) added 14 points.

Gulf Coast (14-8, 6-4 MACCC) led 40-32 at halftime after John Davis (So., Pascagoula/Pascagoula) buried a 3-point buzzer-beater. Hinds (9-16, 4-5) trailed by as many as 13 in the second half but were able to mount a comeback.

The Bulldogs were able to close the game out in overtime, with Kaue Kalinowski (Fr., Curitiba Brazil/Divine Savior) making a critical steal and layup in the final minute to seal the game. He finished with 13 points.

"Defensively, we struggled to keep ball in front us, but we made enough plays there in the second half," Miller said. "Kaue came off the bench and played well. Larry Lee played well off the bench. We had some guys really step up off the bench."

Gulf Coast is back at Dantzler Arena on Thursday for a quick turnaround. Itawamba, which is a half-game behind the Bulldogs, visits for a scheduled 7:30 p.m. tipoff.

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