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Local HBCU hoops rivalry rages on between LeMoyne-Owen, Rust College

By Shambreon Richardson, Special to TSDMemphis.com

For years, Rust College in nearby Holly Springs, Miss., has been a heated rival of LeMoyne-Owen College — a rivalry rooted in the fact that both institutions have adoring fan bases who are willing to drive.

That’s how the Jerry C. Johnson gymnasium was filled to capacity when the two teams met on Thursday, Feb. 20. And bragging rights will have to be called a tie, the men’s and women’s squads split the matchup with Rust Bearcats. Here’s a breakdown:

Lady Magicians 64, Lady Bearcats 71

The Lady Bearcats beat the Lady Magicians in front of a packed Jerry C. Johnson gymnasium in an extremely physical matchup.

Throughout the game, LeMoyne’s Dana Gettis scored a total of 19 points and Lamontazia Blair added 11 points and led the team with five assists.

“Our overall goal was to stick with the plan that was given to us by our coach and to trust the coach,” said Blair, a sophomore guard. “I tried to keep my head in the game even when things didn’t go my way. Personally, my goal was to contribute offensive and defensive wise and playing both roles not just one role.”

The teams were physical from the opening tip. In one sequence, LeMoyne-Owen’s Averyale Joy was knocked to the floor while attempting a layup. Rust College’s Tylia Gillespie was credited with the block.

When Joy thudded to the ground, the gym grew silent as the crowd waited for her to rise. After her teammates helped her up, she continued to play, finishing with 27 points and one assist.

“It’s just basketball,” Joy said. “I didn’t wanna stay on the ground and give any attention to the pain. If I did that, my team would not have played as hard as they did. I had to keep my head up, no matter how it hurt.”

The Lady Bearcats hemmed up the game with tough defense and screen plays, securing the 71-64 win. Blair wishes she’d attacked the rim more.

“They outrebounded us, any time you don’t outrebound a team you are less likely to win the game,” she said. “I don’t think our mindset was right going into the game, If I could go back, I would change our mindset as a team, to play harder and win every possession like it’s our last.”

Magicians 88, Bearcats 75

In the men’s game, Magician Pride kicked in early as LeMoyne-Owen’s Devin Booker, Tory Mason, Toriano Stokes and Tyrone Banks all scored consecutive baskets.

But the game was heated for much of the first half. Both teams went rebound-for-rebound, layup-for-layup and block-for-block, tying the game at 42 in the second half. But once the Magicians found holes in the Bearcat defense, they took advantage and never looked back.

“(The Bearcats) were a smart team, we could have done better with defense,” Banks said. “Swing the ball one side to the other, play together. That was our mindset in tonight’s game.”

Both teams had 19 turnovers in the game.

The Magicians managed to win the game with a total of seven blocks and a series of highlight reel dunks and alley-oops. Mason and Stokes connected on multiple drives to the basket, wheile Booker and Martez Briggs bombed away from the arc in final 15 minutes of the game.

“Even though Rust played a good game, we didn’t get rattled. We stayed focused,” Banks said.

Quentin Pough led Rust with 23 points, while Stacy Regular  and Corey Grimes chipped in 17 and 15 points, respectively. LeMoyne-Owen was led by Banks’ 19, followed by Stokes with 12 points and Mason with 12. Booker and Briggs scored 10 points each.

“We buckled down and we focused as a team and that’s how we were able to get a win,” Stokes said.

LOC seniors were honored by a brief introduction while being escorted by loved ones. With loud cheers, the crowd stood to their feets applauding men and women Magician basketball players Montez Briggs, Miah Kimbrough, Dana Gettis, and Jerry Hurt.

 

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