Lady Bulldogs fall to South-leading East Central

PERKINSTON – The first time Mississippi Gulf Coast played East Central, the Lady Bulldogs got steamrolled.

Thursday night at the Weathers/Wentzell Center, Gulf Coast turned the ball over 13 times and could never recover, losing 56-44.

"I think our post play was good, but we have to get the ball to them," Lady Bulldogs coach Jason Conner said. "You can't turn it over 31 times."

Hayley Pichon had 10 points and 13 rebounds for Gulf Coast, who lost 91-48 in the first meeting at Decatur. Kailin Young, Markeisha Watson and Courtney White had eight points each.

The Lady Bulldogs struggled to get Watson, their leading scorer, the ball in dangerous positions. She was also guarding East Central's Samantha Duncan in a box-and-two defense.

Duncan finished with a game-high 22 points, including six 3-pointers.

East Central put together a 15-0 run in the first quarter, leading 20-8 after 10 minutes. That would prove to be the final margin.

Gulf Coast falls to 10-9 overall, 2-8 MACJC South.

East Central continues to lead the South, improving to 17-2, 9-1.

The Lady Bulldogs return to action Monday at Southwest. Tipoff in Summit is at 5:30 p.m.