Bulldogs drop a gut-wrenching decision

Mississippi Gulf Coast lost a heartbreaker Thursday at Southwest, falling 74-71 in Summit.

A seesaw contest was decided by a desperation banked-in 3-pointer by the Bears that referees said beat the shot clock-buzzer with 7.4 seconds left.

Gulf Coast got a long 3-pointer off before the end of the game, but it was no good.

The Bulldogs (15-6, 7-5 MACCC) fell into a sixth-place tie with Jones in the conference standings. The Bears (15-7, 8-5) moved a half-game in front of Gulf Coast into fifth. The top eight teams qualify for the state tournament.

Lee Flenor (So., South Miami/Miami, Fla.) had 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead Gulf Coast. His put-back with 47.3 seconds left tied the game at 71.

There were nine ties and 11 lead changes. The Bulldogs scored the first five points of the game, which turned out to be the biggest lead of the night for either team.

Melvion Flanagan (So., Peabody/Alexandria, La.) had 19 points and five assists. He made 9-of-11 free throws, but the rest of the team was just 10-for-21. Southwest made 21-of-24 free-throw attempts. 

Anthony Ratliff (So., Terry/Jackson) added 12 points.

The Bulldogs made just 2-of-21 of their 3-point attempts.

Gulf Coast will have Sophomore Night on Monday when Copiah-Lincoln visits the Weathers-Wentzell Center. Tipoff in Perkinston will be at 6 p.m.

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