Lady Eagles Soar Past No. 22 Coastal Alabama–North in Season Opener

An MCC Eagles player rises for a jump shot near the elbow while a Coastal Alabama North defender reaches up to contest the attempt in the Eagles' home arena. Championship banners and a crowd of fans fill the wall and bleachers in the background.
An MCC Eagles player rises for a jump shot near the elbow while a Coastal Alabama North defender reaches up to contest the attempt in the Eagles' home arena. Championship banners and a crowd of fans fill the wall and bleachers in the background.
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November 4, 2025

MERIDIAN, Miss. – The Meridian Community College women's basketball team tipped off the 2025–26 season in impressive fashion Monday night, defeating 22nd-ranked (NJCAA Division II) Coastal Alabama–North 88–67 inside Graham Gymnasium.

Playing in front of a lively home crowd, the Lady Eagles came out firing, opening the game on a 10–0 run and never looking back. Meridian controlled the first quarter, leading 23–8 at the break. The second quarter brought even more momentum, as the Lady Eagles extended their advantage to as much as 26 points and went into halftime up 45–19.

After a dominant first half, Meridian endured a slow start to the third quarter as the Lady Coyotes went on an 11–0 run to trim the lead. But the Lady Eagles regrouped quickly, hitting their stride again and closing the period on a buzzer-beating shot to maintain a 61–50 lead heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter saw Meridian put the game away for good. A barrage of three-pointers down the stretch helped seal the 88–67 victory, giving the Lady Eagles a convincing win to open the season.

Sophomore Akeelah Cain led the way with 20 points, while freshman Shaquavious Jackson added 17 points and sophomore Terica Smith finished 16 points. As a team, Meridian connected on ten three-pointers and showcased impressive depth and energy throughout the night.

Head Coach Jocelyn McGilberry praised her team's fast start and the contributions from her younger players.

"It's great to start fast and see the younger players step up early," McGilberry said. "Our energy in the first half set the tone, and this win gives us something to build on as we move forward."

With the win, Meridian improves to 1–0 and will look to keep the momentum going when they host Wallace Community College–Selma on Wednesday, November 5, at 5:30 p.m. inside Graham Gymnasium.

For game highlights, visit YouTube.
For game photos, visit MCCEagles.com Photo Gallery.

Follow the Meridian Community College Athletics teams for updates, photos, and videos on X (@mcceaglessports), Instagram (@mcceaglesathletics_), and Facebook (Meridian Community College Athletics), and visit mcceagles.com for schedules, rosters, and stories.