Two weeks ago, James “J.J.” Thatcher took over a new program in Southeast Arkansas College women’s basketball.
“Coaching is the greatest opportunity in the world, so I’ll go anywhere in the world — Pine Bluff, Arkansas, anywhere,” the well-traveled Thatcher said. “I’ve been everywhere coaching.”
Taking on a team that already had two games under its belt, SEARK stayed toe-to-toe with Mississippi’s Coahoma Community College for most of the first half. But an 8-0 run by Coahoma to close the first 20 minutes gave the Lady Tigers a 36-28 lead, and they held SEARK scoreless for the first 5 minutes of the second half on their way to taking a 76-57 win Friday night at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
Jairya Rankins scored 10 of her game-high 18 points in the second quarter for Coahoma (3-0), which outscored SEARK 24-17 in the quarter. The game was tied at 28 with 1:25 left in the half before Rankins hit a jumper to start the 8-0 rally.
The Lady Tigers outrebounded the Sharks 36-28 and scored off two putbacks early in the third period as they extended their lead to 46-28 with 6:34 left. The Sharks (0-1) snapped their 6½-minute drought when Takiela Jones scored on an outlet play.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Jones is from Clarksdale, Miss., where Coahoma is located. She transferred from Mississippi University for Women.
Foul trouble saddled SEARK, which was whistled 30 times compared to Coahoma’s 20. Three Lady Sharks fouled out, with one earning five fouls for the Lady Tigers.
SEARK’s deficit dwindled to 59-48 with 8:26 left after Dumas graduate Stephana Steen scored on an inbound play, but the Lady Sharks were never any closer.
“We always say we’ve got to get it down to 10 points every 2 minutes, and we pretty much pulled it off,” Thatcher said. “But that and foul trouble, you’ve got to work through that. Clock management, they pick up on that quick for a brand-new team with a brand-new coach.”
Only one player, Amminesha Patterson of North Little Rock, returned from last season’s Sharks.
Atlanta’s Brooke Glasgow scored 15 points to lead SEARK and Miami’s Jahnya Lewis added 11. The Lady Sharks made 20 of 26 free throws.
Arare’ Foote dropped in 14 points, making 10 of 12 free throws, and Shakaira Zeigler scored 9 of her 12 points in the fourth quarter for Coahoma. The Lady Tigers threw in 27 of 38 free throws as a team.
SEARK will be back at Clemmons Arena on Tuesday for a 1 p.m. tipoff against Mississippi Delta Community College, then take its first road trip to Williams Baptist University in Walnut Ridge on Thursday.
MEN: COAHOMA 88, SEARK 84
SEARK pulled within 86-84 with 18 seconds left, but Coahoma’s Rodarius Donley made 2 free throws with 13.3 seconds left and the Tigers denied the Sharks another chance on the other end to escape Pine Bluff with a 4-point win.
Jordan Allen made two 3-point baskets in the final 1:27 to keep the Sharks (1-1) within striking distance. Allen led the Sharks with 18 points.
Andrew Barnes (7 points) hit a trey that drew SEARK within 84-81 with 35 seconds left, but a wide-open dunk by Ahmed Ibrahim made it a 2-possession game. Allen’s last 3 kept the Sharks within 2.
Lavion Owens finished with 16 points, Cadell Wallace scored 15 points and Amir Rosa had 12 for the Sharks.
Ibrahim scored a game-high 23 points to lead Coahoma (2-0). Dee Robison and Bryan Jean each added 13 points.
The Tigers led 47-39 at halftime.
The Sharks will host Arkansas Baptist College at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Clemmons Arena and visit Central Baptist College in Conway next Friday.