Action was back-and-forth throughout Thursday night’s game, but Hinds left Wesson with a 79-74 win over the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wolves.

“We had a poor shooting night, and a bad night defensively. It just wasn’t our night overall,” said Co-Lin head coach Kenny Bizot. “We stepped up, but had crucial turnovers and didn’t make enough big plays. I wish we could have a couple of possessions back.”

The Wolves led by their highest margin six minutes into the game, as 9-0 run gave Co-Lin a 17-9 lead. The Bulldogs battled back with an 11-3 run to recapture the lead 21-20 with just 10 minutes remaining in the half. The lead changed hands another seven times in the final 10 minutes of play, as both teams played physical basketball. At the half the Wolves led 40-37.

The second half was just as scrappy as the first, despite Hinds holding on to the lead for the majority of the minutes. The Bulldogs led by a game-high six points, 66-60, with eight minutes on the clock, but the Wolves refused to give in late. Co-Lin tied the game at 72 after Jonathan Floyd made two key free throws with just over two minutes remaining.

Co-Lin briefly held the lead, 73-72, after Damarius Brooks rattled home a free throw, but back-to-back layups from Hinds gave the Bulldogs a three-point advantage. The Wolves fouled late in the game to force Hinds to the free throw stripe, but the Bulldogs made the important shots.

Youry White and Floyd led the Wolves with 16 points each, while Anthony Jones scored 12 and Brooks posted 11. Jones led Co-Lin on the glass with 11 rebounds for a double-double and White had nine. Brooks led Co-Lin with four assists. 

Enriques Milton led Hinds with 22 points. Larry Griffin and Anthony Johnson had 13 each, and Nakia Rivers scored 12. Milton also led the Bulldogs with seven rebounds and seven assists.

Co-Lin shot 39 percent (24-for-62) from the field, 33 percent (9-for-27) from the three-point line and 77 percent (17-for-22) from the foul stripe. The Bulldogs finished the night shooting 49 percent (29-for-59) from the field, 27 percent (7-for-26) from beyond the arc and 54 percent (14-for-26) from the free throw line.

The loss moves the Wolves to 16-3 on the season and 7-3 in MACJC South Division play. Currently the Wolves sit in second place behind Pearl River in the division.

Co-Lin is on the road Monday, as Co-Lin travels to East Central Community College for a 7:30 tip.