Lady Lions Nip Itawamba, 59-56

The East Mississippi Community College women’s basketball team got back on track with a 59-56 home win over previously unbeaten Itawamba Community College during last Thursday’s MACCC hoops action played at EMCC’s Keyes T. Currie Coliseum.

Bouncing back from consecutive road losses to Coahoma and Northwest Mississippi, the Lady Lions overcame an early deficit against ICC to force five lead changes and three times before establishing control during the game’s second half.

After trimming ICC’s early six-point advantage to a single point (17-16) by the first quarter break, EMCC benefitted from a low-scoring (12-7) second quarter to take a 28-24 halftime lead.

Following intermission, the competitive contest stayed within a four-point margin until the Lady Lions scored 11 unanswered points to grab a double-figure lead (43-32) heading into the fourth quarter.

With the Lady Indians continuing to struggle from the field throughout the second half, EMCC maintained a double-digit advantage until the last two minutes of the game. The Lady Lions misfired on five free throw attempts down the stretch to help enable the visitors to pull to within three points by the game’s final buzzer.

Markiema Lancaster led EMCC with 13 points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 accuracy from the charity stripe. Kyunna Thomas recorded her third double-double in four games this season with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Shakira Wilson added 12 points for the winners with the help of 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the three-point arc.

Falling for the first time in five decisions on the young season, Itawamba was paced by R’Daztiny Harris’ game-high 16 points. Demetria Shephard and Amelya Hatch followed with 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the visitors.

Coach Sharon Thompson’s 2-2 EMCC Lady Lions were set to play on the road twice during this week. After taking on Meridian Community College on Monday, the lions were set to visit Northeast Mississippi in a 5:30 p.m. contest (Thursday).