3-point outburst puts Bulldogs atop MACCC

PERKINSTON — Tytiana Buckley and Mississippi Gulf Coast rained down 3-pointers in the first quarter against East Central on Thursday at Dantzler Arena, and the margin they created was enough to see them through.

The Bulldogs (15-4, 8-1 MACCC) won 63-56 to move back into first in the MACCC women's basketball standings after Pearl River beat Southwest Mississippi in Summit on Thursday. All three teams have one loss, but the Bulldogs have played an extra game.

"We played good in spurts, but it was not one of our better games," Gulf Coast coach Hope Adams said. "We've just got to figure out a way to put together four quarters."

Buckley (So., Meridian/Meridian), who finished with 25 points, made four of Gulf Coast's six 3-pointers in the first quarter to help open a 24-13 lead after 10 minutes. East Central (14-8, 3-5) scored the first 10 points of the second quarter, but the Bulldogs closed on a 7-0 run to push the advantage back to nine at the break.

"Buckley had a really, really big night for us once again," Adams said. "She's been really steady for us offensively and defensively. Coach and I are trying to be strategic about her minutes so in that fourth quarter, she's able to close the game without being too fatigued."

The Warriors never got that close again, and Gulf Coast led by as many as 14 in the fourth quarter.

Simaru Fields (So., Pass Christian/Gulfport) and Jacylin Houston (Fr., Louisville/Louisville) had 11 each for the Bulldogs.

"We can learn from this game to make sure we continue to grow," Adams said. "We need to play those four quarters."

Gulf Coast will travel to Utica on Monday to play at Hinds. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.

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