Keesler Dragons earn first win

Keesler Dragon, Quameir Harding, makes a layup during a varsity basketball game against the Hulrburt Field Commandos, Dec. 10, 2011, at the Blake Fitness Center, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Harding tallied 17 points in the second half and led all scorers at the final buzzer with 26 points. His teammate, Mario McKnight, was Keesler’s top scorer in the first half with 13 points.The Keesler Dragons defeated the Hurlburt Field Commandos, 73-62. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Keesler Dragons earn first win

Published Dec. 19, 2011
By Sam Miller
81 Force Support Squadron, intramural sports dircetor

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Keesler Dragons overcame a poor first half shooting performance to defeat the Hurlburt Field Commandos, 73-62, Saturday at Blake Fitness Center.

Keesler came into the contest looking for its first win of the season after a 0-4 start. Hurlburt Field, 2-3, was looking to avoid its second straight loss.

Both teams started the game with abysmal shooting and the score remained close most of the first half. With less than five minutes left in the half, the Dragons were able to put together a 6-2 offensive run against the Commandos and took a 31-24 halftime lead. Keesler's Mario McKnight led all scorers at the break with 13 points.

The Dragons were clicking on all cylinders after the half behind the 17-point offensive explosion of Quameir Harding, who led all scorers at the buzzer with 26 points. Hurlburt's Deangelo led the Commandos with 18 points.

Keesler travels to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 14. Eglin has a 5-2 record after a 73-68 victory over Mayport Naval Air Station, Fla., that drops the Sailors to 4-3. Hurlburt Field, now 2-4 hosts Maxwell AFB, Ala., Jan. 7. Maxwell is atop the SEMAC standings at 5-1 after a 77-70 weekend win over Robins AFB, Ga.

The seventh SEMAC men's team, Moody AFB, Ga., was open last weekend and holds a 3-2 record.