Lady Wolves Edge Past Lady Lions for First Conference Win

WESSON – The Co-Lin Women's Basketball team returned to MACCC action hosting East Mississippi on Thursday, February 1. The Lady Wolves showed grit and determination to beat the Lady Lions, 65-58, to get their first win in conference play of the season.

"I am extremely proud of the toughness displayed by our team in this game," stated Co-Lin head coach Dr. Britta Stephens. "We played a complete game and that lead to a much needed conference win."

The Lady Wolves got off to a shaky start in the first quarter as the Lady Lions opened with an 11-4 scoring run to hold the lead at that margin with 6:30 left to play. The Lady Wolves responded with a 12-2 scoring run to take a 16-13 lead with 3:30 remaining. However, the Lady Lions responded by closing out the quarter with an 8-2 scoring run to hold a 21-18 lead over the Lady Wolves.

The Lady Lions opened the second quarter with a 7-2 scoring run to extend their lead to 28-20 with under seven minutes of play remaining. The Lady Wolves then went on a 12-1 for the remainder of the second quarter leading to a 32-29 lead as the teams entered the locker rooms at halftime.

The opening minutes of the third quarter saw the teams trading baskets and leads ultimately resulting in the game being tied at 37-37 with under seven minutes of play remaining. The Lady Wolves then went on a 7-0 scoring run to take a 44-37 lead with just over four minutes left. However, the Lady Lions responded by closing out the quarter with a 10-2 scoring run to hold a 47-46 lead at the end of play.

The Lady Wolves started the fourth quarter with an offensive explosion as they went on a 9-0 scoring run to take a 55-47 lead with just over seven minutes of play left. The Lady Wolves never relinquished the lead as they then went on an 7-6 scoring run to extend their lead to 62-53 lead and then held off a late charge by the Lady Lions to secure the 65-58 victory.

"We still have some mistakes to learn from going forward," added Stephens. "We did not do a very good job of closing out the game because we had far too many turnovers in the final minute."

The Lady Wolves had three players hit double-digit scoring as Jamea Smith (Jackson) led the team with 11 points and eight rebounds while Ceara Myers (Baton Rouge) and Angel Wilkinson (Brookhaven) added ten points each. Myers also had three rebounds, one assist, and three steals while Wilkinson had two rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Kayla Howard (Shaw) scored nine points three rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while A'shante Fleming (Canton) had seven points, three rebounds, two assists and a team leading four steals and Sequoia Bouldin (Hattiesburg) had six points, four rebounds, and three steals. Kiersten Haynes (Clinton) had five points, Myla Harbor (Ferriday, LA) had four points, and Alexanjria Washington (Canton) had three points to round out the scoring for the Lady Wolves.

"Kayla Howard's return was an integral part of our success and Ceara Myers was excellent for us again as she was able to score and get key rebounds throughout the game," stated Stephens. "Alex Washington gave us some very valuable minutes off the bench in this game and Sequoia Bouldin's defensive pressure late in the game helped us get several steals that allowed us to pull away late."

Co-Lin improves to 9-7 overall, 1-3 in conference play, and will return to action on the road against Holmes on Monday, February 5. Tip-off between the Lady Wolves and the Lady Bulldogs is set for 5:30 p.m., in Goodman.