the ECCC Warriors jumped out to a 14-point 26-12 lead just seven minutes into the game. Gulf Coast would eventually take its first lead of the game 44-43 with one minute to play in the first half, before the Warriors settled for a 45-44 lead at the half.

The Bulldogs would grab the lead for good in the final 20 minutes, leading by as many as nine, 67-58, with 10 minutes to play.

Both teams shot well from the floor, with ECCC hitting 57 percent of its shots in the first 20 minutes, and the Bulldogs hitting over 50 percent for the game. The difference was at the free throw line where Gulf Coast went to the line five more times that the Warriors, and hit that many more free shots.

In addition to the combined 58 points from McCarty and Dotson, the Warriors got 11 points from freshman guard Roti Ware out of Morton. Sophomore forward Cameron Diggs (Mobile, Ala., Blount) had a game-high 11 rebounds.

East Central's overall record fell to 8-5. The Warriors are 2-2 in MACJC South Division play. The Gulf Coast Bulldogs improved to 9-4 and 2-2.

The ECCC Warriors and Lady Warriors will remain at home on Monday, Jan. 22, to host Pearl River Community College. Game times are 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

ECCC will travel to Ellisville on Thursday, Jan. 25, to face Jones County Junior College. Women's action is at 5:30 p.m. and the men follow at 7:30 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