SENATOBIA — Forward Travalyn Smith scored 13 points and guardGloria Lewis 10, leading the Co-Lin Lady Wolves to 53-48season-opening victory over the Northwest Lady Rangers in the;Northwest Tournament. In the men’s game, Northwest rallied pastCo-Lin 93-81.

br>Co-Lin plays Itawamba today in the second round of thetournament. The women play at 2 p.m., followed by the men at 4.

The Lady Wolves (1-0) trailed Northwest 25-24at halftime.

“Both teams struggled offensively,” said Co-Lin women’s coachGwyn Young. “We weren’t attacking their zone very well.”

The Lady Wolves pulled ahead with 3 1/2 minutes left play andheld Northwest scoreless down the stretch.

Ten points each by Lakita Stephens and Ebony Walker pacedNorthwest.

The Wolves (0-1) committed 29 turnovers in theloss to Northwest. The Rangers were ranked No. 8 in the NJCAA’Spreseason national poll.

“Northwest puts so much pressure on you and they are soathletic,” said Co-Lin men’s coach Dennis Sims. “They are adifficult team to open up with. They are a very good team.

“At times we handled the pressure well and then we didn’t.”

Sims said the Rangers dominated the backboards. “They have somestrong rebounders who are athletic and physical. It was a newexperience for our freshmen.”

Lamar Sanders, a 6-foot-6 post player from Hickory Flat, pouredin 26 points and pulled down 13 rebounds for Northwest. He wasrecognized as Freshman of the Year last season.

Sophomore guard Ledell Eackles directed Co-Lin with 18 points.Dexter Middleton chipped in 12, Ivory Dishmon 11 and Joe Holliday10.