Bulldogs stage comeback but can’t hold on

Mississippi Gulf Coast mounted a huge second-half comeback Monday night and took a last-minute lead before falling 83-81 at Jones.

The Bulldogs missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to win. Anthony Ratliff (So., Terry/Jackson) had 23 points to lead the Bulldogs, and Carr Thiam (So., Wharton/Tampa, Fla.) added 17.

Gulf Coast (8-2, 1-1 MACCC) was trying to avenge an earlier loss to Jones (8-0, 2-0 MACCC). The Bobcats led by as many as 17 in the second half, and the Bulldogs trailed 78-54 with 5:37 to play in Ellisville.

Thiam made a couple of baskets to get the run started, and then Melvion Flanagan (So., Peabody/Alexandria, La.) was fouled taking a 3-pointer. Jones was whistled for a technical, and Flanagan made all five free throws to make it 79-75.

Flanagan finished with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Anthony Ratliff (So., Terry/Jackson), had a traditional three-point play with 55 seconds left, and Flanagan nailed a 3 with 46 seconds to play for an 81-79 lead.

Gulf Coast got whistled for a double-technical with 28 seconds left, and Jones made all four free throws. The Bulldogs missed two 3-pointers in the final seconds.

Lee Flenor (So., South Miami/Miami, Fla.) tied for the game-high with 11 rebounds.

Gulf Coast resumes non-conference action Thursday when Baton Rouge visits Perkinston. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

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