Decatur, MS – February 6, 2025 – The East Central Community College Warriors battled until the final buzzer but fell short in a thrilling 66-63 loss to Mississippi Gulf Coast on their home court.

Despite leading at halftime, 34-26, East Central struggled to maintain their momentum in the second half as Mississippi Gulf Coast increased the pressure. The Bulldogs outscored the Warriors 40-29 in the final 20 minutes, sealing the narrow victory.

Game Recap

East Central started strong, with Daniel Zatsepin leading the charge, scoring a team-high 18 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting. Connor Rogers added 16 points, while Tamarion Jones provided a spark from beyond the arc, hitting three triples on his way to 11 points.

The Warriors controlled the boards early, but Mississippi Gulf Coast fought back behind a dominant second-half effort from Jabbari Barry, who poured in a game-high 25 points, including five three-pointers. His clutch shooting and key defensive stops down the stretch proved to be the difference.

Turning Point

East Central struggled with turnovers in key moments, committing 18 giveaways compared to Gulf Coast's 17. The Bulldogs capitalized on these mistakes, converting them into crucial fast-break opportunities.

With under a minute left, the Warriors had a chance to tie the game, but a last-second three-pointer rimmed out, allowing Mississippi Gulf Coast to escape with the victory.

Stat Breakdown

• Field Goal Percentage: East Central – 44.0%, Gulf Coast – 38.8%
• Three-Point Percentage: East Central – 29.4%, Gulf Coast – 30.4%
• Rebounds: East Central – 34, Gulf Coast – 38
• Free Throws: East Central – 66.7% (14-21), Gulf Coast – 50% (7-14)

Coach's Take

East Central's head coach, Dylan Shields, despite the loss, emphasized the team's resilience.
"We beat ourselves too many missed opportunities down the stretch. Gulf Coast plays hard under coach Miller. This league will beat itself up, and we have to keep fighting."