Wolves Drop Close Game in Season Opener

SCOOBA – The Co-Lin Men's Basketball team opened the 2021-22 season with a road contest against East Mississippi on Monday, November 1. The Lions beat the Wolves in a tightly contested game by a final of 74-71.

The Lions jumped out to a big lead early in the first half thanks to an 18-8 scoring run over the opening minutes and held that advantage with 13:30 left on the clock. The Wolves battled back and responded with a 15-9 scoring run to cut the Lions lead to 27-23 with just under eight minutes remaining in the first half.

The two teams traded baskets and possessions over the next few minutes, but the Wolves gained their first lead of the game at 40-37 with just over two minutes left in the first half. The Wolves closed out the half with a 45-44 lead going into the locker rooms at halftime.

The opening minutes of the second half started with an 8-0 scoring run by the Lions to regain the lead at 52-45 with 15:44 left in the game. Once again, the Wolves battled back and responded with a scoring run of their own, 15-8, over the next few minutes to tie the game at 60 apiece with 7:33 remaining in the game. Another battle of basket trading began between the two teams with the Lions holding a slight edge throughout the remainder of the game and outscoring the Wolves 14-11 down the stretch securing the 74-71 win.

Sophomore guard Lerenzo (Trey) Fort III (Jackson) had a huge night in his debut for the Wolves as he tallied 37 points and three rebounrds, while sophomore forward Kareeme Davis (Trenton, N.J.) added seven points, five rebounds, and one block. Sophomore guards Jemario Hersey (Brookhaven) and Kedarius Stampley (Fayette) along with sophomore forward AJ Warnsley (Byram) added six points each. Warnsley was the leading rebounder for the Wolves with 11 along with one assist, while Hersey led the team in blocks with four to go along with four rebounds and two steals with Stampley adding five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Sophomore center Cole Chapman (White Bear Lake, Minn.) added five points with six rebounds and sophomore guard Jordan Marshall (Raymond) had four points to round out the scoring for the Wolves.

"We fought hard against a veteran East Mississippi team, and I am proud of our guy's effort," said Wolves head coach David Sanders. "We have some things to clean up, but I believe we showed the league that the Wolves are here to stay."

The Wolves are 0-1 on the season and return to action with a road contest against Jones College on Thursday, November 4. The action at A.B. Howard Gymnasium will tipoff at 7:00 p.m.