Gulf Coast falls to Hinds women

PERKINSTON – Kailin Young had 16 points, but they weren't enough to help Mississippi Gulf Coast against Hinds.

The Lady Bulldogs lost 66-57 at the Weathers/Wentzell Center, seeing Hinds expand leads at the start of the last three quarters but not having enough to claw all the way back.

 "I was pleased with Kailin Young," Gulf Coast coach Jason Conner said. "She played well."

Gulf Coast falls to 9-6, 1-5 MACJC South, while Hinds improved to 7-8 and got its first division win in six games.

Markeisha Watson added 12 points and team-high seven rebounds for Gulf Coast.

Conner's team spent the last week working on their offense against a zone. So when Hinds came out in a man-to-man defense, he was worried.

It turned out for no reason, as the Lady Bulldogs jumped out to a 15-9 lead. But Hinds got in a zone defense and the Gulf Coast offense sputtered.

The teams were tied at 15 at the end of the first quarter, before Hinds ripped off a 13-1 run over the first four minutes of the second.

Gulf Coast's 10-0 run got it back to a 30-28 deficit, and the Lady Bulldogs trailed 35-30 at half.

Hinds scored the first eight points of the third quarter to take a 13-point lead. Gulf Coast was able to get it back to six-point deficit in the final minute, but no closer.

"I was disappointed late defensively," Conner said. "I was pleased overall with our effort and energy. We're going to keep getting better."

Gulf Coast was 3-for-17 from the 3-point line and shot 36 percent overall from the floor.

The Lady Bulldogs return to action Monday with a trip to Copiah-Lincoln. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.