NO. 17 MGCCC makes it back-to-back MACJC titles

MGCCC head basketball coach Wendell Weathers (with trophy), asst. coach Patrick Wilcher (2nd from left), and the 2012 MACJC Champion Bulldogs.

Bulldogs take down Pearl River 61-56 in Championship Game

FULTON, MS---Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College has won back-to-back MACJC basketball titles for the first time since 1991-92 after a 61-56 win over archrival Pearl River in the 2012 title game Thursday Night in Fulton.

"Anytime you win one title it's great, but to win them back-to-back, it's tremendous," said Gulf Coast head coach Wendell Weathers. "It's a complement to how hard our sophomores worked these last two years. These sophomores have won 43 games in the last two seasons."

In 2011 Gulf Coast also defeated Pearl River for the MACJC title.

This year, the Bulldogs (22-4) had to come from behind to get the win, just like they did in two previous tournament games. Pearl River (14-11) Jumped out to a quick 12-2 lead to open the game and led 30-26 at halftime. Gulf Coast didn't tie the game until Angel Matias stole the ball and scored a layup making it 50-50 with 5:00 left in the second half. Matias, who scored 15 points, also gave Gulf Coast it's first lead moments later with another layup. A Guy Payne Jumper with 1:00 remaining made it 57-56 Bulldogs, then Jeremiah Dunnings hit four key free throws down the stretch to help ice the victory. Justin Childs also had 15 points for Gulf Coast while Payne added 9.

In all three MACJC tournament victories, the Bulldogs were behind but used a full court press to catch up and eventually take the lead.

"It comes from practice," said Bulldog point guard Jeffery Simmons. "At practice, coach always tells us to fight every play, every minute. We just work hard."

Gulf Coast now turns its attention to next week's Region 23 Tournament in Clinton. The winner moves on to the NJCAA tournament and a shot at the National Title.

"As we go through this thing, we've been able to maintain the success we've had all season," Weathers added. "Again, that's a great complement to our kids."