MGCCC moves within a game of title

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast's saluted a great class Monday, when the women's basketball team celebrated Sophomore Night. They did it in the best way possible, beating Northwest Mississippi 75-50 at Dantzler Arena.

The Bulldogs (19-4, 12-1 MACCC) are one win away from the program's first conference title since 2000. And a large portion of that credit goes to the four-person sophomore class.

"Every last one of them has been tremendous for our program," Gulf Coast coach Hope Adams said. "Them choosing to come to Gulf Coast under the circumstances I put them in, I told them they had to come in and do the job as true freshmen. They all stepped up to that challenge in their own individual roles and have taken this program a long way. They're 36-10 the last two years, and they're right on the cusp of doing something really great for this program."

Gulf Coast will close out the regular season Thursday with a trip to Summit to play third-place Southwest Mississippi. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. A victory would clinch at least a share of the championship and give the Bulldogs the top seed in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.

They'll play next Monday at Dantzler Arena against an opponent to be determined.

Simaru Fields (So., Pass Christian/Gulfport) and Je'Mya Evans (So., Gulfport/Harrison Central) had 20 each to lead the Bulldogs. Ja'Sharreah Hunt (So., Roxie/Franklin County) had 13, and Tytiana Buckley (So., Meridian/Meridian), the fourth member of the class, had nine.

Jacylin Houston (Fr., Louisville/Louisville) added 11 points.

The Bulldogs led 20-9 after the first quarter and never looked back.

"Scoring, it looks like we played really well," Adams said. "I know what we're capable of, and we're chasing a championship. The moment of Sophomore Night, everybody wanted to do well, and we got a little stagnant. Defensively, that's who we are. We disrupt and get after it."

Gulf Coast will start to refocus immediately to face a tough Bears team on the road.

"I'm emotional, but I told them we have to finish strong," Adams said. "I'll soften up once we get to the finish line."

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