Gulf Coast steps up D to win

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast's often leaky defense took a big step forward Monday night, helping the Bulldogs claim an important win in the MACCC men's basketball standings.

The Bulldogs beat Coahoma 69-60, allowing Gulf Coast (13-8, 3-4 MACCC) to move past Coahoma (12-8, 2-4) in the standings.

"We're doing a better job of getting into gaps and not letting people get to the rim," Gulf Coast coach Owen Miller said. "It still happens, but we're doing a better job. Instead of putting arms in there, we're putting bodies in there."

The Bulldogs held Coahoma under 37 percent from the field in the first half and to just 4-of-23 from the 3-point line for the game. They were also plus-five from the free-throw line, going 11-of-13 to the Tigers' 6-of-12.

Gulf Coast led 31-25 at halftime, with Thomas Tangle (So., Standing Pine/Choctaw Central) scoring nine of his 11 points.

Coahoma got it to 35-33 with 14:04 left, but Jabbari Barry (So., Lake Charles, La./Barbe) stepped up.

"He's our horse," Miller said. "He kind of got off to a slow start, but he made that big 3 in the corner that got us going."

He also had another bomb to beat the shot clock that was part of a 10-2 run that gave Gulf Coast a double-digit lead with less than 10 minutes to play. Barry finished with 16 points to lead Gulf Coast.

Larry Lee (So., Utica/Raymond) made all six of his field-goal attempts and his only free-throw try to finish with 13 points. He grabbed eight rebounds.

The Bulldogs travel to Decatur on Thursday to play at East Central. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. 

For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.