SENATOBIA - Northeast Mississippi Community College advanced to the semifinals of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) State Tournament with a 79-73 victory over Copiah-Lincoln Community College on Monday, February 26.

The first round matchup at Northwest Mississippi Community College's Howard Coliseum served as the first meeting between the Tigers and the Wolfpack in nine years. 

Northeast led from start to finish against Co-Lin, who like the Tigers are receiving votes int he latest National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I rankings.

Conner McKay and Bryce Smith tied for a team-high 13 points for Northeast (18-6). Antares Gwyn added 12 points and eight rebounds in the victorious effort.

The Wolfpack were led by Youry White's game-high 17 points. Co-Lin finished in a tie for first place in the MACJC South Division, but fell to second on tiebreakers, while the Tigers were the three seed from the MACJC North Division.

Northeast advances to face the winner of Monday's nightcap between Southwest Mississippi Community College and Northwest in the state semifinals on Wednesday, February 28. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Senatobia.