Indians win thriller over EMCC to claim MACJC title

Indians win thriller over EMCC to claim MACJC title
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com

FULTON, MS – What a difference a year can make.

The ICC men's basketball team was cleaning out their lockers after missing the 2013 MACJC Tournament and Thursday night they were celebrating the program's first MACJC title since 2009 after a thrilling 73-72 win over East Mississippi.

"We are blessed," said Coach Grant Pate. "This group of guys bought into each other from the first day of practice and I couldn't be more proud to see all their hard work and dedication be rewarded with a conference championship."

The Indians (17-9) open the second half on a 12-0 run only to see the Lions (18-6) use an 18-2 run to cut the lead to 72-69 with 5.4 seconds left in the game and freshman Tyrone Wooten (Memphis, TN) at the free throw line.

Wooten left to door open for the Lions after missing the first of two free throw attempts.

"I was pretty nervous," said Wooten. "I got to thinking about what all was on the line and lost my focus on shooting the free throw."

Wooten walked away from the charity stripe to gather himself, took a deep breath and nailed the second free throw.

"I knew I had to do it for my teammates," Wooten commented. "I didn't think about anything, but going through my regular routine and it was just an amazing feeling when heard the crowd react after it went through the net."

The free throw proved pivotal as the Lions buried a NBA-range three as time expired before the ICC student section to rush the floor in celebration of the Indians' championship.

"It was an amazing feeling see the guys celebrating with all the students," Pate said. "All I could do is watch and thank the Lord for blessing us with such a great moment."

Wooten finished with 9 points while fellow Memphis native Alex Anderson led ICC with 19, Johnthan McGee (Raymond) added 14 and Tory Rice (Starkville) had his 11th double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Jacolby Mobley led four different Lions scoring in double figures with 19 points, including draining a 60-foot shot as the first half expired.

ICC will go into next week's NJCAA Region 23 Tournament as the No. 2 seed and will face Northwest Mississippi Community College at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday at Mississippi College.

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