After achieving the highest ranking in school history, the No. 7 East Mississippi Community College Lions found themselves trailing in the first round of the MACJC men’s state tournament Tuesday.

    However, EMCC scored the final 12 points of the first half and cruised past East Central Community College from there, winning 81-64 at Copiah-Lincoln’s Mullen Gymnasium. The Lions will face the Pearl River-Northeast Mississippi winner in the semifinal round at 7:45 p.m. today.

    In advancing to the state semifinals, EMCC (21-3) rallied from a 31-28 lead with 2:35 remaining in the first half to grab a 40-31 halftime advantage, that the Lions wouldn’t relinquish. The Warriors, who fell to 13-11, didn’t get closer than five points in the second half.

    East Central was led by Kenneth Barlow’s 16 points and 14 points, 10 rebounds from Curtis Loving.

    EMCC, meanwhile, received 22 points from freshman point guard D.J. Evans. Sophomore Deonte Alexander added 21 points as he drained 7 of 14 3-point attempts.