Box Score SCOOBA – Devonta Pollard executed a perfectly drawn up inbounds play with 0.5 seconds left to lift the home-standing East Mississippi Lions to an 85-83 win over Northwest Thursday night.  

East Mississippi improved to 10-4 overall and 2-2 in the north, while Northwest fell to 7-7 overall and 3-2. 

Tied at 83-all with 53 seconds left after Dajon Reno hit the tying free throws, the teams traded turnovers on ensuing possessions which setup a thrilling finish with 18 ticks left. 

EMCC threw the ball away when trying for the go-ahead score, but got one last chance when a Ranger defender just got his hands on the ball with 1.6 seconds left. After a timeout, head coach Mark White decided to go to his McDonald's High School All-American and Mississippi's former Mr. Basketball, Pollard, who grabbed the inbounds pass over the front of the rim and laid it in. Still with a fraction of a second left in the contest, the Rangers' length-of-the-floor pass attempt was tipped in the frontcourt as time expired.

The last-second shot capped what was a wild second half that was completely dominated by officiating. The teams were whistled for a combined 37 fouls and shot 53 free throws in the second half alone and closed the night with 59 combined fouls (five foul outs) and 71 free throw attempts.

It was a well-played game from both sides, and will be a much anticipated rematch in Senatobia, as the teams exchanged 16 leads and were tied on 10 different occasions. EMCC led by as many as 10 in the first half and the Rangers' largest lead was eight just seconds into the second half. 

Northwest led 39-33 at the half after trailing early on 12-2. 

Northwest had four of its five starters in double figures, led by Tristan Moore with 16 points and six assists, De'Sean Dockery with 14 and Sharwyn McGee and Rashon Coleman with 12. The Rangers shot 49 percent. 

Pollard scored 13 of his game-high 17 points in the second half and was followed by Jacolby Mobley with 16, Antonio Finley with 16 and Avery Woodson with 15. The Lions shot 50 percent and hit 10-of-27 3s. 

Northwest will return home on Monday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., playing host to Holmes. 

Live video at njcaatv.com/nwccrangers and live stats at sidearmstats.com/northwestms/mbball.