WESSON -Due to a case of influenza, Co-Lin sophomore guard BarryWhitley’s status for Monday night’s game against archrivalSouthwest Community College was doubtful at best. Whitley overcamethe flu bug and sparked the Wolves to an 85-67 trouncing of theBears in Mullen Gymnasium, scoring 17 points and making 4steals.

Co-Lin (13-3, 4-2) also got 17 points and 7 rebounds fromfreshman center Quentin Christian as the Wolves remained incontention for the South Division title. Southwest fell to 10-7overall and 1-4 in the South.

Whitley, a talented playmaker from Baton Rouge, didn’t practiceSunday night and became ill during Spanish class Monday. Prior tothe game, he wore a portable heating pad on his chest, under hisshirt.

“I feel horrible but I had to fight through it,” said Whitley.”We played one of our better games.”

Co-Lin placed 5 players in double figures and the team made 51percent of its field goals. Sophomore guard Brandon Dickerson andsophomore forward Marcus Calcote scored 15 points each. Sophomoreguard Rod Haynes netted 10 points.

Southwest coach Bill Wallace said he was impressed by Co-Lin’sbalance and depth. “Co-Lin is solid all around. Whitley is good,smart and athletic. He runs their team good.”

The Bears took an early 11-5 lead 6 minutes into the game.Co-Lin regained the advantage at 12-11 on Brannon Barfield’s layup.The Wolves went on a 17-2 run which increased the margin to 24-15on a baseline jumper by Barfield.

Co-Lin head coach Dennis Sims was pleased with his team’sperformance. He coached 12 years at Southwest before coming toCo-Lin five years ago.

“Our level of play was good the whole game,” said Sims. “We gotsome easy baskets down low with Christian. Our defense got someeasy baskets off steals on the perimeter and that helped.

“Whitley played under control,” Sims continued. “Southwest isprobably the most athletic team we play.”

The Bears got 19 points from sophomore Robert Green, a 6-4forward from Huntington High School. Khyri Galmore, a 6-4 freshmanguard from Terrebone (La.) , chipped in 14 points.

@Bbstandings:Co-Lin 85, Southwest 67

Southwest (67) Robert Green 19, Galmore 14, Thompson 3,Reed 4, McGaffney 0, Travis 7, Haynes 0, Drake 2, Easley 2, Griffin9, Hollinger 2, Corbin 5.

Co-Lin (85) Barry Whitley 17, Quentin Christian 17,Haynes 10, Barfield 8, B. Smith 0, Calcote 15, Black 3, Dickerson15, Townsend 0.

Halftime: Co-Lin 39-27.

Total fouls: Southwest 18. Co-Lin 20. Fouledout-Drake.

Free Throws M-A: Southwest 14-21. Co-Lin14-16.

3-point goals: Southwest 3-14 (Galmore 2, Williams).Co-Lin 3-11 (Whitley, Calcote, Dickerson).

Rebounds: Southwest 21 (Griffin 8). Co-Lin 33 (Christian7, Barfield 7).

Turnovers; Southwest 20. Co-Lin 11. Assists: Co-Lin 16.Steals: Co-Lin 19 (Whitley 4, Black 4, Calcote 4).

Field Goals M-A: Southwest 23-64. Co-Lin34-67.