Bulldogs run away from Knights

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast overcame a sluggish back-from-the-holidays start Tuesday to kick off the 2025 men's basketball season with a victory.

The Bulldogs pulled away from the Louisiana Knights in the second half to win 87-57 at Dantzler Arena.

"It looked like we hadn't played in about a month that first half," Gulf Coast coach Owen Miller said. "The second half we go going. We came out with a lot of energy the second half, and our depth played a part."

Gulf Coast improved to 9-4 in the first of two non-conference tune-ups before MACCC play begins Jan. 13 when East Mississippi visits Perk. The Bulldogs will travel to Baton Rouge on Thursday, with tipoff set for 6 p.m.

The Bulldogs trailed for a good portion of the first half but surged down the stretch to take a 43-36 lead to the locker room. They had a 9-2 run coming out of the break and had a 20-2 run in the second half to firmly take control.

Za'Kariyea Hamilton (Fr., Jackson/Clinton) led the Bulldogs with 17 points. Thomas Tangle (So., Standing Pine/Choctaw Central) and Jabbari Barry (So., Lake Charles, La./Barbe) added 12.

"Kari made some shots and made some 3's," Miller said. "He's one of our better finishers at the rim, and he got there. We did some good stuff defensively in the second half and got some easy buckets off our press."

The Bulldogs also made 15 of 16 free throws and made all 10 in the first half, which was the difference in the halftime score. The Knights were 2-for-8, finishing 5-for-13.

For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.