Lady Eagles Stay Unbeaten After Overtime Thriller Against Lawson State

The MCC Eagles women's basketball team breaks their pregame huddle with a fist-pump and raised arms in the home gymnasium before facing WCCS. The coach leads the team in an energetic cheer as players in green and white uniforms gather tightly together.
The MCC Eagles women's basketball team breaks their pregame huddle with a fist-pump and raised arms in the home gymnasium before facing WCCS. The coach leads the team in an energetic cheer as players in green and white uniforms gather tightly together.
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November 14, 2025

MERIDIAN, Miss. – The Meridian Community College women's basketball team remained perfect on the season Thursday night after outlasting Lawson State Community College 97–83 in an overtime thriller inside Graham Gymnasium. The win moves the Lady Eagles to 5–0 on the year.

Meridian came out firing on all cylinders, opening the game on a 10–0 run before the Lady Cougars found their footing. The Lady Eagles maintained control throughout the first quarter, taking a 28–21 lead into the break.

The second quarter featured an offensive showcase from both teams, as they traded three-pointers and kept the crowd energized. Meridian held the upper hand, extending its lead to 46–31 at halftime behind Reigning MACCC Player of the Week Terica Smith, who dominated the paint with 13 points in the first half.

The Lady Eagles continued to roll in the third quarter, with Smith even banking in a three-pointer to highlight her night. Meridian built its largest lead of the game at 17 points and led 67–53 entering the final frame.

The fourth quarter, however, brought drama. Lawson State mounted a furious comeback, erasing the deficit and tying the game at 78 to force overtime.

In the extra period, the Lady Eagles left no doubt who controlled the night. Meridian exploded with a 12–0 run to open overtime, fueled by three-pointers from sophomore Nataysia Willis and freshman Ashlynn Stephens. Sophomore Mia Washington added six points in the paint, as the Lady Eagles scored 19 points in overtime to put the game away 97–83.

Smith led Meridian with 25 points, while Willis added 15 and Washington finished with 14. Despite foul trouble once again playing a factor, the Lady Eagles' poise and determination carried them to victory.

Head Coach Jocelyn McGilberry praised her team's resilience and ability to close out the game.

"We let things slip in the fourth quarter, but our response in overtime showed our toughness," McGilberry said. "We stayed composed, executed well, and refused to let the game get away from us. I'm proud of how we finished."

The Lady Eagles will enjoy a short break before hitting the road to face Wallace Community College–Selma on November 20 in Selma, Ala. The matchup will serve as a rematch of Meridian's 60–45 home win over the Lady Patriots on Nov. 5.

For game highlights, visit YouTube.

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.