MGCCC basketball splits with Pearl River

LaPrecious Thompson (21) drives past Pearl River’s Raven Calloway Jan. 14.

PERKINSTON---Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came within inches of pulling off a come from behind win over archrival Pearl River Jan. 14.

However, a three-pointer by Darius Forest at the buzzer wouldn’t fall as the Bulldogs fell 63-61 to the archrival Wildcats in front of 1,500 fans at the Weathers/Wentzell Center.

Gulf Coast (11-3, 2-1) cut into a 6-point deficit in the final 2 minutes to set up the game-winning attempt by Forest, who had 16 points on the night. Chris Bilbo led the Bulldogs with 18 points, including two break-a-way dunks late in the game that brought his team to within a bucket of tying the game. Pearl River (11-1, 3-0) led 34-29 at halftime and was led by 12 points from Kaven Bernard.

The Lady Bulldogs (10-3, 2-1) blew out Pearl River 65-44 and have now won four straight. Presley Owens led the way with 15 points while Shameika Hart added 11. Gulf Coast capitalized on its height advantage over Pearl River to jump out to a 38-24 halftime lead.

Gulf Coast travels to East Central Jan. 17 before hosting Jones Jan. 22. Bulldog fans can watch all the action between the Bulldogs and Bobcats via streaming video at www.mgcccbulldogs.com.