CLINTON — Ernesha Chatman had 24 points and six assists, and Octavia Barnes added 14 points as Hinds Community College beat Northeast Mississippi 83-71 Thursday to advance to the Region 23 women’s basketball tournament championship game.

Hinds (22-6) will play top-seeded Jones County (27-1) in the championship game Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Mississippi College.

Jones County beat Itawamba Community College 70-65 in the other semifinal Thursday.
Hinds surged past Northeast Mississippi (16-10) with a big effort from its bench. The Lady Bulldogs’ reserves outscored Northeast’s reserves 37-0.

Rickera Martin came off the bench to score 13 points for Hinds, and Twila Hill had 12. Isheer Davis had seven points and 12 rebounds.

Shelby Wilbanks and LaKeiya Lane led Northeast Mississippi with 17 points apiece.