UTICA - The Hinds Community College Bulldogs held off the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wolves Thursday evening (Feb. 13) to secure a 69-66 win on sophomore night.
 
First Half 
 
The Bulldogs came out firing and jumped out to a 12-3 lead just five minutes into the game. 
 
The Wolves responded with a run of their own and tied the game at 15-15 with 11 minutes remaining in the first half. 
 
The Bulldogs and the Wolves would then trade leads until Hinds pushed it to a two possession game (30-25) with five minutes left in the half. 
 
Hinds then expanded upon their lead and pushed the score to 39-33 at the half. 
 
 
Second Half
 
In the second half, the Hinds took a nine-point lead (46-37) with 15 minutes remaining. 
 
CLCC, however, clawed their way back into the game, and cut the Bulldog lead to just one- point (67-66) with under nine seconds remaining. 
 
With seven seconds left in regulation, CLCC fouled Hinds' sophomore forward Deonte Spencer who made both free throw attempts, which sealed a 69-66 victory for the Bulldogs.
 
"Co-Lin is a well-coached, tough team to play against. They beat us earlier in the season by one point, but tonight our guys were able to make some shots at the end of the game and hold them off to get the win," said head coach Yusef Fitzgerald.
 
Prior to tonight's game, four of Hinds' losses had come by five points or less. "Tonight, we won the close game, and good teams win close games," added Fitzgerald.
 
With the win Hinds improves to 12-7 overall and 7-5 in the MACJC South Division. Their 7-5 divisional record puts them in a three-way tie for second place with two games remaining in the regular season.  
 
Hinds Top Performers vs. Co-Lin
 
Dontrell McQuarter: 18 points | 4 assists | 1 block | 1 steal

Jordan Johnson: 12 points | 5 assists

Deonte Spencer: 9 points | 3 rebounds

"One guy I'd like to commend is Deonte Spencer. He has worked extremely hard and bought into what we have been trying to teach him. He was huge for us off of the bench tonight," commented Fitzgerald.

Prior to the game against CLCC, the Hinds Bulldog basketball program honored their sophomores, which include: Dontrell McQuarter (Baton Rouge, LA), Jerrez Porter (Jackson), Peyton Taylor (Cleveland), Dontavious Smith (Terry), Eric Stimage (Utica), Ladarius Marshall (Jackson), and Deonte Spencer (Jackson).

Hinds (12-7, 7-5) will be back in action next Monday (Feb. 17) at home in Utica for a crucial MACJC South Division matchup against the East Central Community College Warriors (9-12, 4-8). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Prior to the start of the game against ECCC, Hinds will name the basketball court inside J.D. Boyd Gymnasium on the Utica Campus after former basketball coach Earl Joe Nelson. The dedication ceremony will take place on Monday (Feb. 17) at approximately 7 p.m.