East Central Community College freshman center Curtisha Coleman, left, uses post move to finish at the rim against Meridian Community College defender Halethe Jones. 

DECATUR — The East Central Community College women’s basketball team picked up an important 77-72 MACJC South Division win tonight against nearby Meridian Community College Thursday night.

There was no men’s action, as MCC forfeited due to the suspension of several players.

MCC had a seven-point lead at the half, but with a strong second half performance by the Lady Warriors they pulled off the win by five.

Freshman center Curtisha Coleman of Wayne County High School led the team with 21 points and 18 rebounds, while teammates Bryona Stewart of Itawamba Agricultural High School added 21 points. Autumn Taylor of Newton High School chipped in 19 points.

The second half featured three lead changes and eight tie-ups. MCC lead by as much as 11 points with 9:05 left in third quarter, but ECCC battled back with a pair of free throws by LaNeisha Jeans of Pine Forest (Fla.) High School in the fourth to take a lead they would not surrender.

Meridian was led by Kashari Gordon, who put up 11 points for the Lady Eagles.

ECCC improved to 7-4 on the season and 1-1 in division play. Meridian fell to 7-4 overall and 1-1 in league play.

“We have a lot of stuff to work on,” ECCC women’s coach Coach Crandral Porter said. “The heart and the willingness to win, I’m very proud of that, but if we do a better job early on, the game wouldn’t have to be so close.”

The Lady Warriors will play two key division games next week, beginning on the road at Perkinston Tuesday to face Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at 5:30 p.m. Men’s action begins at 7:30 p.m.

East Central will return home Thursday, Jan. 19, to host Co-Lin at 5:30 p.m. The men’s teams will play at 7:30 p.m. 

“The south division is the toughest division, I think,” Porter said. “ For us to get in the playoffs, we have to become more prepared so we can still accomplish everything we want to accomplish.”