MGCCC basketball splits with Jones

ELLISVILLE---Seldom used freshman Charles Smith hit four free throws with less than five seconds left to push Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College past Jones 89-85 in overtime for a key MACJC South Division victory.

The Bulldogs (15-7, 6-5) fought back to send the game to overtime on a three-pointer by Darius Forest, one of his five treys in the game. Forest led Gulf Coast with 28 points while JaMichael Hawkins had 20, Chris Bilbo had 16, and Giancarlo Santiago added 13. Bilbo had a chance to win it for Gulf Coast at the end of regulation but missed a shot jumper as time expired.

The Lady Bulldogs (16-6, 7-4) fell behind and couldn’t make up the difference in a 69-64 loss. Shamekia Hart led the Lady Bulldogs with 18 points while Markia Nix had 15 and Presley Owens added 13.

Gulf Coast concludes the 2013 regular season at home Thursday, Feb. 21 against Hinds.