By Staff
OVER THE TOP – Lawson State's William Barnes bears the weight of Meridian Community College's Marcus Melvin. Photo by Carisa McCain / The Meridian Star
By Thomas Burton / special to The Star
Nov. 10, 2002
The number three is considered a magic number. For Meridian Community College Jamal Edmonson sank three, three-pointers in a row to lead a Eagle 21-5 second half run comeback to give MCC the victory over Lawson State 96-83.
Meridian was lead by the heroics of Willie Powers with a total of 23 points. 17 points came in the second half with Powers making some spectacular dunks.
Edmonson tallied up a total of 21 points with 16 in the second half. He also made some fine passing plays to give the Eagles the momentum they needed.
Lawson State was lead by Nathan Hines who had 23 total points and WIlliam Barnes with 14 points.
Both teams played evenly matched throughout the first half. Lawson State got fine play from William Barnes who scored seven points early on.
Meridian's Mecose Todd hit back to back three-pointers with 5:30 left in half to tie Lawson 32-32. Todd hit a total of three, three pointers and finished the half with 15 points
Down the stretch the Cougars depended on Nathan Hines who scored nine points to help establish a 10-0 run ending the half leading 49-36.
Bombs were bursting in mid air for the second half of play for the Eagles. Meridian found its groove as Powers, Edmonson, and center Kenny Boyd led the attack to give the Eagles the lead for good.
Boyd made a block against Andre' Seay which was followed up with a three-pointer by Boyd to cut the lead to five with 18:24 remaining.
Powers showed some strong defense with a block that led up to him scoring on the next play.
Lawson State made its first bucket with 17:10 still leading by the slim margin of 51-46. From then on the Cougars kissed the lead goodbye.
Edmonson provided the hook with the back to back to back three pointers to put the Eagles up 55-51.
Lawson State followed with a score but Powers took the very next Meridian possession and slammed it in with 15:02 left to play.
Down the stretch MCC's steady play continued. Todd provided some damage with a three-pointer to give Meridian a 67-54 advantage.
Looking for answer Lawson State picked up a three pointer from William Barnes to cut the lead to 67-57.
The Eagles never gave in as Powers provided huge blocks that knocked the Cougars off balance.
With only 3:00 left Lawson State tried to make a 10-4 run but it was spoiled by the block of Dewayne Jackson, that led to a Edmonson assist to Powers for the open dunk which proved to be enough as Meridian won 96-83.
Brooks finished by saying that being the first home game the team just needed to settle in the nervous atmosphere. Overall he was real happy with the overall play of the second half.
Meridian's next game is at home Wednesday against Coahoma with the Women tip off set for 5 p.m. and the Men games will follow at 7 p.m.