CLINTON - The Co-Lin Lady Wolves captured the NJCAA Region 23 Championship with a 78-75 overtime win over the Baton Rouge Lady Bears. The Lady Wolves (28-1) advance to the NJCAA National Tournament in Salina, Kansas, March 16-20. The championship is head coach Gwyn Young's sixth regional title.

In overtime, Baton Rouge took a 75-72 lead on an old-fashioned 3-point play by GG Williams with 1:48 left. A basket by Co-Lin's Latoria Holder brought Co-Lin back within 1 at 75-74. After a Baton Rouge turnover, Co-Lin's Kristin Newsome was fouled by Karlisha Thompson and made 2-of-2 free throws putting the Lady Wolves up 76-75.

On the next possession, Baton Rouge's Chassity Smith was fouled by Holder, but missed both free throws. With 13 9 seconds remaining, Smith fouled Holder who hit 1-of-2 free throws giving the Lady Wolves a 77-75 lead. But more importantly, Co-Lin's Rachel Vigers rebounded the missed free throw giving the Lady Wolves possession and forcing Baton Rouge to foul. With 8.9 seconds remaining, Vigers went 1-for-2 from the charity stripe to give the Lady Wolves a 78-75 lead. Co-Lin was able to get the rebound from the miss free throw and run out the clock and preserve the win.

After Baton Rouge jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, the Lady Wolves settled down and went on an 9-2 run to take first lead of the game, 11-10, on a Shareka Hunt basket at the 14:22 mark. That lead increased to 19-14 with 11:00 left in the half, but Baton Rouge scored 5 straight points to tie the game at 19-all. The lead see-sawed back and forth until the Lady Wolves went on a 6-1 run in the last 2:48 of the half to take a 35-29 lead into the locker room.

In the second half, back-to-back baskets by Hunt gave the Lady Wolves their largest lead of the game 39-31 with 17:34 left. Baton Rouge cut the lead to 41-39 on back-to-back treys by Teagra Clifton.

The Lady Bears went on a 9-2 run with 10:25 remaining to retake the lead 53-52. That lead increase to 58-53 with 8:37 left. Sophomore guard Nadia Collins hit a 3-pointer to pull the Co-Lin with 2, 58-56.

With 2:27 remaining  in regulation, Baton Rouge's GG Williams hit a basket to give the Lady Bears a 64-63 lead. Co-Lin's Rachel Vigers was fouled by Williams and hit both free throws to give the Lady Wolves a 1-point advantage, 65-64. Williams, who had a game-high 28 points, swished a 3-pointer to put Baton Rouge up 76-65 with 1:53 remaining. Co-Lin's Latoria Holder tied the game at 67-all with 1:35 left sending the game into overtime.

The Lady Wolves shot 57 percent from the field in the first half and 52 percent for the game. Co-Lin went 25-of-36 from the free throw line (69 percent) while the Lady Bears went 9-of-23 (39 percent).

Co-Lin had five players in double figures led by Holder with 17 points, 5 steals, and 3 assists. Freshman Brandi Simmons followed with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Collins came off the bench to score 14 points, including 3 treys. Vigers scored 12 points and pulled down 8 rebounds. Hunt funished with 12 points and 4 rebounds.

Williams had a game-high 28 points and pulled down 8 rebounds for the Lady Bears. Teagra Clifton was the only other Baton Rouge player in double figures with 19 points.

Vigers and Holder were named to the NJCAA All-Region 23 Tournament Team.