Gulf Coast batters Hinds by 24

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast overcame a slow start and forced a bushel of turnovers and collected a basket of offensive rebounds to pound Hinds 63-39 in non-conference action Monday night.

A rowdy Dantzler Arena crowd saw the Bulldogs erase a six-point deficit after 10 minutes by outscoring Hinds 21-6 in the second quarter.

"We've got to take care of the ball better," Gulf Coast coach Hope Adams said. "We had 22 turnovers. We controlled the boards and had 25 offensive rebounds, but we didn't do a good job finishing around the rim. I think our team is progressing each game, and we've just to continue to get better. 

Simaru Fields (Fr., Gulfport/Gulfport) led Gulf Coast with 19 points and also had five rebounds and six steals after sitting out the first quarter. Tytiana Buckley (Fr., Meridian/Meridian) had a season-high 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting and led Gulf Coast with seven rebounds.

The Bulldogs (4-2) forced 35 turnovers by Hinds (0-8). They held Hinds to 15 points total in the second and third quarters. 

"Our identity is being a good defensive team and controlling the boards," Adams said. "Going into conference we'll be in a lot of games and win a lot of games if we get those turnover numbers down."

TK Catchings (So., New Hebron/Simpson Academy) added 11 points and six rebounds for Gulf Coast.

Gulf Coast will play its last game of the 2022 portion of the schedule Wednesday. The Bulldogs entertain Lawson State at 5:30 p.m. The game from Dantzler Arena 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.