East Central men used a 16-1 run over a three-minute span in the first half to take a 42-16 lead over the visitors from Pensacola, Fla., and take command of the basketball game. The Warriors led 26-15 before the run that included pressure defense and a fast breaking offense.

Taylor Made fought its way back to only trail by 10, 43-33, at the half. 

The Warriors pushed the lead back to as many as 24 points in the second half before settling for the 14-point 87-73 win.

McCarty, who prepped at Quitman High School, led the way for the Warriors, scoring 12 of his game-high 21 points in the second half. Sophomore guard Jaquan Dotson out of Neshoba Central also scored in double figures with 16. Dotson tied for the game-high in rebounds with 10. Freshman guard Tre Pinkston (Forest) dished out seven assists for East Central.

The East Central defense held Taylor Made to 32 percent shooting from the floor for the game, including just 4 of 23 from beyond the three point line.

The Warriors and Lady Warriors will travel to Scooba Thursday, Nov. 9, to face the teams from East Mississippi Community College. The women tipoff at 5:30 p.m. and the men at 7:30 p.m. On Monday, Nov. 13, East Central will be in Clarksdale to face Coahoma Community College at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The next home action is Nov. 20-21 for the EC Classic in Brackeen-Wood Gym. The Lady Warriors will host Lawson State Community College (Birmingham, Ala.) on Nov. 20 and Southern University-Shreveport on Nov. 21, both games at 5 p.m. The Warriors will play Faith Prep Academy (West Memphis, Ark.) on Nov. 20 and Mississippi Delta Community College on Nov. 21, both at 7 p.m.

All home basketball games can be heard on WKOZ Cruisin 98.3 or via audio stream and live stream video at www.eccc.edu/eccc-media.

Bill Wagnon

Associate Vice President for Public Information

East Central Community College