The Lady Wolves of Copiah-Lincoln Community College never trailed Monday night as Co-Lin defeated East Central 74-69.

“They really shot the ball well in the last quarter,” said head coach Gwyn Young. “We didn’t do a great job executing and getting rebounds, but thank goodness we were able to hit our free throws. Callahan and Holt did good on the boards for us, but we need to do a better job.” 

Co-Lin could not miss in the opening quarter of play as the Lady Wolves built an early lead. Several three-pointers from Alexus Holt, Keyonia Harris and Brittany Rose gave Co-Lin a 13-point, 20-7 lead with 3:57 remaining in the period. The Lady Warriors netted some shots late in the quarter, but Co-Lin led 25-13 going into the second.

The majority of the second quarter was spent trading baskets, as both teams scored 17 in the period. Heading into the half, Co-Lin led East Central 42-30.

Midway through the third, Co-Lin stretched the lead to 20, 58-38, but East Central began to battle back. A 12-2 Lady Warrior run cut the Lady Wolves’ lead to 10, 60-50.

In the fourth, East Central rattled home three straight three-pointers from Autumn Taylor and Feria Mays. The sudden hot hand cut Co-Lin’s lead to just three, 69-66, with 1:49 remaining in the game. To keep the game alive the Lady Warriors resorted to fouling, but the Lady Wolves were composed at the line. Diamond Smith, Karry Callahan and Holt were clutch at the line as Co-Lin made five free throws in the final minute to secure the 74-69 win.

Callahan led the Lady Wolves with a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double. Holt posted her second career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Holt also led Co-Lin with seven assists. Rose rounded out Co-Lin’s top scorers with 10 points. Another notable stat was Smith’s five blocks. 

Tamirra Haskin led ECCC with 15 points. Taylor and Diamond Wraggs both scored 12, while My’Neka Frazier led the Lady Warriors on the glass with 14 rebounds.

Co-Lin shot 39 percent (26-for-66) from the field, 33 percent (8-for-24) from the three-point line and 67 percent (14-for-21) from the foul stripe. The Lady Warriors finished the night shooting 29 percent (24-for-82) from the field, 27 percent (9-for-34) from beyond the arc and 55 percent (12-for-22) from the free throw line.

The win moves Co-Lin to 17-3 on the year and 8-3 in the MACJC South Division. The Lady Wolves currently are second in the south division with Southwest in third with a 7-4 record.

The Lady Bears travel to Wesson Thursday for a 6 p.m. tipoff.