Bulldogs squeak by Tigers, 89-87

GOODMAN --- The Holmes Community College Bulldogs defeated the Northeast Mississippi Community College Tigers here Monday night, 89-87, in a key North Division matchup to go to 13-6 overall and 5-3 overall.

The Bulldogs had defeated the Tigers by 24 earlier in the season in Booneville, but Monday's game was a lot different. The Bulldogs jumped out 8-2 before the Tigers took their first lead at 9-8 with 15 minutes to play in the first half. The lead grew to 22-14 with 11:45 to play in the half. The Bulldogs battled back to tie the game at 30 on a DeAndre Scott bucket from eight feet out with 4:54 to go in the half. The Tigers led 41-39 at the half.

In the second half, Northeast increased the lead to seven at 50-43 with 16:40 to play in the game. Torrance Rowe hit three consecutive buckets to tie the game at 58 with 11:30 to go in the game. Northeast then retook the lead and increased it to as much as six at 66-60 with 9:55 to go. Scott hit two free throws with seven minutes to go to tie the game at 71. Scott's layup 15 seconds later made the score 73-71. Another Scott layup increased the lead to four with 4:42 to play in the game. Northeast cut it to two points with 30.4 to play on a three-pointer, but the Bulldogs were able to hang on for the win.

Scott led the Bulldogs with 29 points while Demarcus Lewis had 28. Scott hit two three-pointers, was 6-of-10 from two-point range and was 11-of-14 on free throws while Lewis was 10-of-15 from two-point range and 8-of-12 on free throws. Emmanuel Dias led the Bulldogs in rebounds with nine. 

The Bulldogs return home on Thursday night against Coahoma. Game time is 8 p.m and can be watched live at holmesathletics.ihigh.com.