Gulf Coast stumbles against Jones

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast controlled its own destiny heading into the final week of the regular season, needing two wins to claim at least a share of the MACJC South title.

Monday night put a serious dent in those aspirations, however, ending in an 85-75 loss to Jones on Sophomore Night at the Weathers-Wentzell Center.

DaJuan Moorer (So., Pensacola, Fla./Pensacola Catholic) had 23 points, and Willie Logan (So., Brookhaven/Northwest Rankin) scored 22 for Gulf Coast.

The Bulldogs (18-4, 10-3 South) are now in second in the division a game behind Jones (17-5, 11-2) and Pearl River (20-2, 11-2). They'll need to win at Hinds on Thursday and have Jones lose to Copiah-Lincoln in Ellisville and PRCC lose to Meridian at Poplarville to claim a share of the title.

Gulf Coast saw its six-game win streak come to an end Thursday, giving up the most points it had allowed all season. Jones got a season sweep, and the Bobcats scored more points in each of the games than anybody else has all year.

The Bulldogs led 8-3 early before Jones went on a 16-1 run and never looked back. Gulf Coast trailed by as many as 28 in the second half before cutting it to 13 with 8:13 to play.

The Bulldogs long ago clinched a spot in the postseason for the 21st consecutive season, the longest streak in the state. They'll likely be the third seed from the South and get two-seed from the North in the state playoffs, which will be played at Ellisville next week.

For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.