PERKINSTON – Prior to last night's (Feb. 20) game against the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) Bulldogs, Hinds had not beaten MGCCC in over a decade. They also had not locked down a spot in the playoffs since 2012.

Following last night game, the 2019-2020 Hinds Community College Bulldogs found themselves accomplishing both those feats; They came back from a six-point deficit (38-32) at the half to win the game 74-70. With the victory over MGCCC, Hinds also secured a second place finish in the MACJC South trailing only the No. 2 ranked team in the NJCAA.

The win also improved Hinds overall record to 14-7 and their conference record to 9-5.

 "We couldn't have done it without God," stated Fitzgerald emphatically. "It is a tremendous feeling to set goals in year one, and accomplish them in the timeframe that you believed you could. We work so dang hard each day, my staff and the players on this team," added Fitzgerald.

Preceding the arrival of current head coach Yusef Fitzgerald and his staff three years ago (2017-2018), Hinds had only won a total of 11 conference games since the 2014-2015 season. In Fitzgerald's first three seasons at Hinds, he has won 19 conference games and brought the Bulldogs back to the playoffs.

"Taking over a team that was near the bottom of this league was a challenge, but we have now shown that it is all about hard work. It is all about putting in the work according to the prayers that you send up to our Highest," commented Fitzgerald.

The Bulldogs will continue their stellar season this upcoming Monday (Feb. 24) in the MACJC State Playoffs hosted by East Mississippi Community College in Scooba. The bracket for the tournament will be released later today from the commissioner's office.

Please check here on the Hinds Athletic website and/or on twitter (@hindsccsport) for updates regarding the playoff schedule.