Wolves Win Thriller Against Lions

SCOOBA – The Co-Lin Men's Basketball team hit the road for the first time in MACCC play as they faced off against East Mississippi on Thursday, January 15. Some late game heroics propelled the Wolves to a 69-68 win over the Lions to extend their winning streak to four games.

The first half saw the teams trade baskets and leads throughout most of the 20 minutes of play with the Lions holding a 31-30 lead with 35 seconds remaining. The Wolves then took a lead as Tyrell Bowles (Springdale, MD) finished a strong dunk against the Lions and drew a foul on the play making the score, 32-30. However, the and one was missed while the Lions sunk a buzzer beating three pointer to take a 34-30 lead over the Wolves as the teams hit the locker rooms for halftime.

The second half was just as close as the first half between the two teams with neither holding a lead larger than seven points. Ultimately the Lions gained a three-point lead, 68-65, over the Wolves with under a minute to play. However, the Wolves found a way as LeBron Deal (Monroe, LA) splashed a pull-up three pointer to tie the game at 68-68 with 33 seconds remaining. The Lions then missed a potential game-winning shot with five seconds left while the Wolves rebounded and sprinted down the court for a chance at a game-winning shot. The Lions were then called for a foul sending Trisitan Lucas (Pearl) to the free throw line for two shots with one second remaining. Lucas then made the first free throw but missed the second giving the Wolves a 69-68 lead as the Lions called timeout to preserve the time left in the game. The Lions then inbounded the ball, but time expired before the Lions could shoot potential game winner as the Wolves secured the 69-68 victory.

The Wolves had four players in double-digit scoring figures as Tristian Lucas led the way with 17 points along with two rebounds while Tyrell Bowles narrowly missed a double-double with 14 points and eight rebounds along with two steals and two blocks. Morris Hammond (Ridgeland) had 12 points with two rebounds, one assist, and one steal while LeBron Deal had 10 points with one assist.

Dylan Creggett (DeSoto, TX) had nine points while Moustapha Salekh (Ngekoh, Senegal) and Caleb Crozier (Yazoo City) had three points each with Koie Williams (Philadelphia) had one point to round out the scoring for the Wolves.

Co-Lin improves to 9-6 overall, 2-0 in MACCC play, and will return to action hosting Holmes on Tuesday, January 20. Tip-off between the Bulldogs and the Wolves is set for 7:30 p.m., at Mullen Gym in Wesson.