The Lady Lions of East Mississippi Community College clinched a 52-45 victory over Northeast Mississippi in their final game of the 2025-26 basketball season, held at Keyes T. Currie Coliseum on March 5, 2026. This win not only marked the end of the season but also broke a six-game losing streak for the Lady Lions.
The match started with both teams neck and neck, ending the first quarter in a 14-14 tie. The Northeast Lady Tigers, despite fielding a short-handed roster, managed to outscore EMCC in the second quarter, taking a 29-21 lead into halftime. The Lady Tigers were down to just seven players due to injuries, including their leading scorer, Maniya Kirksey.
After the intermission, the Lady Lions shifted momentum quickly. They opened the second half with six consecutive points, limiting Northeast to just five points in the third quarter. This surge allowed EMCC to reclaim the lead at 36-34 heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter brought intense competition. The Lady Lions faced significant challenges, especially after losing Dukiaha Jones, the reigning All-MACCC guard, to injury in the first half. With Micaiah Satcher also fouling out with six minutes left, the team had to step up. They scored eight unanswered points to turn a 42-39 deficit into a 47-42 lead.
Key plays late in the game included a crucial three-pointer from Erica Lyons, who previously played at East Central Community College. She converted a steal into a basket, extending EMCC’s lead to 49-45 with just over a minute left. The Lady Lions maintained their advantage by keeping Northeast scoreless in the final two minutes.
In the closing seconds, transfers Cenaya Calhoun-Jingles and Ariana Crimm contributed with three free throws to secure the win for EMCC. Crimm had an impressive performance, scoring nine points and grabbing 16 rebounds, following her standout game with 19 points and 10 rebounds against Coahoma.
Despite the loss, Northeast Mississippi’s Nakyiah Walker stood out with a game-high 22 points, while Christina Fulton added 15 points. The Lady Tigers finished their season with several challenges, including injuries impacting their roster.
Under the guidance of head coach Isaiah Butler, the Lady Lions concluded the season with a record of 6-20. Their other conference victories included decisive wins over Southwest Mississippi and Hinds, showcasing moments of resilience throughout the season.
