Wolves Open Conference Play with Win Over Bulldogs

PERKINSTON – The Co-Lin Men's Basketball team hit to face off against Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to open MACCC play on Thursday, January 18. The Wolves once again showed great grit and determination in grinding out a 75-71 victory over the Bulldogs.

"It's really tough to win on the road in this conference so to go on the road and get a win against a team of this caliber is big for us and we are excited about that," stated Co-Lin head coach David Sanders. "Even though we didn't play as well as we are capable of, we still found a way to win and that is what conference play is all about."

The two teams traded baskets and leads throughout the early part of the first half, but the Wolves eventually pulled away and held a 38-33 lead as the teams entered the locker rooms at halftime.

The Bulldogs then responded in the second half regaining the lead and pulling slightly away from the Wolves. However, the Wolves fought their way back ultimately retaking the lead and sealing the win late in the second half including clutch free throws by several members of the team earning the 75-71 victory over the Bulldogs.

The Wolves had four players in double-digit scoring figures as Courterius Scott (Jackson) led the way offensively with 16 points along with one rebound, two assists, and two steals while Avaughn Johnson had an impressive showing with 15 points, five rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block. Devin Carter (Jackson) and Emmanuel James (Nigeria) added 14 points each while Carter added five rebounds, two steals, and a game-leading six assists and James finished with a double-double performance adding 11 rebounds with one steal and two blocks. James now has four straight double-double performances and has had ten double-doubles in 13 games played.

Ismail Rashid (Jackson) narrowly missed a double-double finishing with nine points and a game-leading and new career high in rebounds with 15. Will Grayson (Yazoo City) had five points and Dakota Hillard (Hazlehurst) had two points to round out the scoring for the Wolves.

"Ismail Rashid was huge on the glass for us during this game while Devin Carter played a great floor general role and was an elite distributor of the ball," added Sanders. "We have to build on this win going forward."

Co-Lin is now 9-4 overall, 1-0 in MACCC play, and will return to action hosting Northwest Mississippi on Monday, January 22. Tip-off between the Rangers and the Wolves is set for 7:30 p.m., at Mullen Gym in Wesson.