Dantzler Arena debut is a beauty

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast opened Dantzler Arena in style Monday afternoon, beating East Mississippi 62-47 in the first game of the Bulldog Thanksgiving Classic women's basketball tournament. 

"That was fun," Bulldogs coach Hope Adams said. "It was great. I love the atmosphere. Being able to be in the new gym and for these kids to come out and get a win was very rewarding. We started the Dantzler Arena Era with a win, and I hope we keep protecting our new home court."

The Bulldogs improved to 2-1 in a non-conference showdown against the Lions (1-3). Simaru Fields (Fr., Gulfport/Gulfport) made the first-ever Gulf Coast basket in the new 1,450-seat arena, draining a 3-pointer from the left win at the 8:55 mark. It was a sign of things to come. She scored 18 of her 21 points in the first half to lead the Bulldogs.

"She's a young guard and she's very aggressive," Adams said. "She's very competitive. It's going to take some time and some reps, but I think she's going to be a very special guard in our league."

Gulf Coast led 34-21 at halftime and appeared to be in control, but EMCC made a run in the third quarter to get within five. After the teams exchanged baskets in the opening minutes of the fourth, Gulf Coast called timeout.

The Bulldogs scored seven straight points in 73 seconds, eventually making it a 9-0 run to lead 54-40 with 5:35 to play.

"We've been talking about needing to win every quarter," Adams said. "Last game, that second quarter killed us. We have to be in control of the game, and sometimes we get in a hurry offensively. We have to stay poised. Every game, we want to get better and fix our flaws so we can be ready for conference."

TK Catchings (So., New Hebron/Simpson Academy) had 13 points for Gulf Coast, and Elsie Harris (So., Mobile, Ala./B.C. Rain) added 11.

Gulf Coast is back in action Tuesday with the final game in the Thanksgiving Classic. The Bulldogs are scheduled to tip off against Chattahoochee Valley at 3 p.m. The game will be streamed at https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch.

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