On the Net (video):
Cord Wright talks about Northeast's heartbreaking loss:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPvlVLXinWQ
Summit, Miss. – Kiki Gwyn may not shoot the lights out of a gymnasium, but she proved yet again on Monday afternoon how pivotal of a role she plays for the Northeast Mississippi Community College women's basketball team.
Gwyn took a crucial charge in the final minute of a closely contested matchup with Southern University at Shreveport to shift the momentum and help the Lady Tigers hold on for a 62-60 win in the opener of the 2013 Southwest Coca-Cola Classic.
"I just felt like I had to get in the right place at the right time and get the right outcome," said the Kossuth native. "Coach's (Brian Alexander) philosophy is very good. If you do it and execute, the outcome is very good."
The result indeed proved positive for the Lady Tigers, who won their second straight outing. Southern-Shreveport had just cut the lead to one possession with 1:39 remaining on a layup by Takeela White.
Mariah Gilliam brought in a defensive rebound moments later after Northeast missed a shot. But on her way down the floor for a possible go-ahead field goal, Gwyn was able to get into perfect position and caused Gilliam to turn the ball over on an offensive foul.
"It was right when it needed to be," Alexander said. "We talk about being excited to take charges. Kiki took one for the team at a crucial stage. We're pumped up about what she did."
The Lady Jaguars (2-6) did get one last chance after Antionette Riddle hit 1 of 2 free throw attempts with six seconds on the clock, but White's prayer from behind the arc at the buzzer was not answered.
Jasmine Allen drained a three-pointer to put the Lady Tigers up 20-9 with 9:36 left in the opening half. Northeast maintained its double-digit advantage the remainder of the period and led 34-24 at the break.
Aushiana Ivy put together a double-double, the first such of the year for a Lady Tiger, with 11 points and 13 rebounds. She brought in an offensive board, connected on a second chance layup and was fouled for an old-fashioned three-point play to up Northeast's lead to 39-25 shortly after the intermission.
Baskets by Rene-Ceah Beard and Gilliam sparked a 13-3 run by Southern-Shreveport later in the half. But the Lady Jaguars never put together a full rally and fell short in their efforts.
Angelia Allen dropped in 19 points, the best for both teams, for Northeast (2-2) while Riddle added 11.
"I thought we handled the game pretty good throughout," said Alexander. "We're working together as a team, growing and developing. I do feel like we're on the right track and we're going to keep moving forward."
Gilliam totaled 15 points to head the Lady Jaguars and their offensive efforts. White and Beard tallied 13 and 10, respectively.
(M) Southern-Shreveport 71, Northeast 65 (OT)
Cameron Shorty forced an extra five minutes against the Jaguars after hitting a short jumper off a beautiful assist from Dimario Jackson to tie the contest at 58-58 with 39 seconds remaining in regulation.
The Tigers had an opportunity to claim victory in the waning moments of the contest, but Jackson's running attempt hit the back iron and rimmed out as the horn sounded.
Cannon Edwards knocked down a trey to give Northeast (1-4) a 61-60 lead in the added frame. It was short lived, however, after the Jaguars went on a 9-0 scoring spurt to put the matchup out of reach.
"We did some good things and defensively we weren't bad," said Tigers headman Cord Wright. "We've been hanging in games. We're just trying to continue to find ways to win.
"I keep telling them all the time how hard winning is. We're finding out the hard way that little things down the stretch make a difference."
Yettra Speck had four points in the closing run and finished with a game-best 16. Mark Gray notched 15 points and Patrick Smith rounded out Southern-Shreveport's double figure scorers with 13.
The crowd inside the Southwest Basketball Center was treated to a back-and-forth contest throughout its entirety. It featured eleven lead changes and six ties.
Neither squad led by more than eight points. The Jaguars (5-2) took a 29-25 advantage into halftime after Specks hit a buzzer beater from beyond the arc.
Edwards scored all seven points in overtime for Northeast and had 10 total in the matchup. Shorty revved up a defense that forced 20 turnovers and finished with nine rebounds and nine points.
Jackson continued his consistent streak with 15 points. The freshman from Brusly, La., has been the top scorer for the Tigers in four of five outings this year.
Marcus Hogan dropped in eight points during the second half and ended the contest with 10.
"I'm proud of the guys for continuing to fight. It's not been a play-hard issue for us," Wright said. "These things are all correctable as long as we keep our heads up and keep plugging along."
The Lady Tigers and Tigers face a quick turnaround tomorrow (Tuesday, November 19) in the conclusion of the Coca-Cola Classic. Northeast takes on host Southwest to wrap up the tournament starting at 5:30 p.m. in Summit.