WESSON — Co-Lin sophomore forward Dominique Whitfield has a newpregame meal. Monday night it resulted in her scoring a game-high24 points, plus a team-high 9 rebounds in Co-Lin’s 82-60 SouthDivision triumph over Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

“I ate a lot of candy before the game,” said Whitfield, a5-foot-11 Crystal Springs product. “They’re called Now/Later.They’re like Jolly Ranchers but they’re square. It was the firsttime for me to eat them.”

Whitfield was energized in Mullen Gymnasium, surpassing heraverage points (5) per game by 19. She was wearing a protectiveknee brace on her right knee after straining it against Meridianlast Thursday.

Whitfield is pursuing a career in physical therapy. She saidCo-Lin’s team chemistry has helped the Lady Wolves achieve theirhigh level of success.,

“If we continue playing together as a team and keep that familyatmosphere, we’ll be OK,” said Whitfield.

Co-Lin (15-1, 5-0), ranked No. 12 nationally, played well inspurts, overcoming foul trouble. Sophomore post Erica Trahan fouledout with 10:05 left in the game, limited to 5 rebounds and 2points.

“Dominique played real well the second half,” said Co-Linwomen’s coach Gwyn Young. “Overall, our team missed too many easyshots but we pushed it out and played well in spurts.”

Young’s team held a 40-27 halftime lead and steadily increasedthat margin. They went on a 10-0 run to start the second half andled 58-30 on a putback by Trahan with 14:21 left to play.

Co-Lin playmaker Nikki Williams posted a double-double, scoring17 points and making 11 assists. She also had 7 steals.

Guard Hanna Porter followed Williams with 11 points, sacking 3treys.

Gulf Coast (6-10, 1-4), coached by Greg Holmes, got 14 pointsfrom center Ja’net Schonberg, a 5-9 freshman from Donaldsonville,La. She also had 10 rebounds.

Co-Lin resumes South Division play Thursday at Hinds inUtica.