Holmes falls to Hinds, 77-74

GOODMAN --- The Holmes Community College Bulldogs battled back from a five-point deficit at halftime but came up short here Thursday night versus Hinds Community College, 77-74.

With the loss, the Bulldogs fell to 4-3 overall. Holmes will return to action on Monday, Dec. 1 at Southwest at 7:30 p.m. The Bulldogs then return home on Dec. 4 versus Northwest to open North Division play.

Hinds led 31-26 at halftime, and the Bulldogs outscored Hinds 48-46 in the second half but couldn't pull off the win. Hinds led by 16 points in the second half before Holmes started their comeback.

Two breakaway layups by Hinds' Jontavius Thomas inside one minute gave Hinds a 72-66 lead. With :33 left Daryl Macon hit two free throws to pull the Bulldogs to within four at 72-68 before Clayton Tate increased the lead back to six after two free throws of his own. Macon then hit a three-pointer with 11.4 seconds left to make it 74-71. With seven seconds, LaDarrius Drain hit one of two free throws to make the score 75-71 before Jarvis Williams hit a three-pointer for Holmes to pull it to within one point at 75-74. The Bulldogs fouled immediately and Thomas hit two free throws to put Hinds back up 77-74. A half court heave by Macon was no good at the buzzer, and Hinds took the contest, 77-74.

Macon led the Bulldogs with 32 points including seven three-pointers while Williams had 10. Marcus Washington led the Bulldogs with eight rebounds while Cedric Harper added seven.