WESSON – Free throw shooting can win or lose a game and theMcLaurin Tigers found out Tuesday night against the Wesson Cobras.In the fourth quarter, the Cobras nailed 15 of 19 free throws topreserve a tough 59-49 Division 6-2A win in the final home game ofthe season.

In the girls game, Wesson’s defense couldn’t stop the McLaurinoffense as the Lady Tigers took home a 63-29 victory.

Wesson travels to Hinds AHS Fridy night for its final divisiongame of the season. On Saturday night, Wesson makes up a game atNorth PikeThe playoffs begin next week at St. Andrew’s inRidgeland.

“Our free throw shooting has been good,” said Wesson boys coachBilly O. Britt following the win. “We didn’t play hard enough. Wedidn’t play good defense.”

McLaurin (9-12, 6-5) cut the deficit to 52-49 with 1:20 left toplay. Wesson (9-12, 4-7) spread the offense out and forced theTigers to foul to stop the clock.

Wesson senior center Roderick Clay netted a pair of free throwfollowed by Wade Williams with one freebie to push the Cobras leadto 55-49 with 52 seconds left in the game.

In the final seconds of the game, Johnny Butler nailed threefree throws and Adrian Merchant was 1-for-2 to give the hosts a10-point lead.

Wesson led 15-8 in the first quarter and pushed their lead to 10points, 33-23, over McLaurin at the half. Going into the finalframe, the Cobras led by six points, 48-42.

Clay led the Cobras with a game-high 26 points, five reboundsand four steals. Butler finished with 10 points, five rebounds andfive assists.

Leading McLaurin with 23 points was Jafila Evans. Ben Guestcoaches the Tigers.

In the girls game, McLaurin (17-2, 10-1) placedthree girls in double figures. Shayla Wilson led Coach Tammy West’sLady Tigers with 16 points. Ashley Evans fired in 15 pointsfollowed by Danisha Brown with 12 points.

Christy Watson powered Wesson (4-16, 1-10) with 10 points. AnnaJohnson netted eight points and pulled down six rebounds. JemmyeHelms coaches the Lady Cobras.

The Lady Tigers led 14-8 in the first quarter and went up 30-18at the half.