MERIDIAN – Powered by double digit scoring from four starters, the Meridian Lady Eagles held off the Co-Lin Lady Wolves, 76-66, in basketball action Thursday night.

In the men’s contest, the Wolves would hold off a late rally by Meridian to gain a 68-62 win over the Eagles. Coach Kenny Bizot’s Wolves have now won three in a row.

Co-Lin returns to action on Tuesday, Jan. 21, when they travel to Decatur to take on East Central. The women tip off at 5:30 with the men’s game to follow. Live audio will be streamed at colinathletics.com.

Lady Eagles 76, Lady Wolves 66 

The Lady Eagles (11-2, 3-1) scored the first two points of the game, fittingly, on a basket from Kristen Sampson. Sampson would finish with a game high 22 points.

The Lady Wolves (7-6, 0-4) would be done in by a lack of offensive production and an abundance of turnovers. Co-Lin only had one starter score in double figures, MACJC Player of the Week Claresa Banks with 21 points.

The Lady Wolves would only shoot 32 percent from the floor and would commit 21 turnovers. Meridian led 34-24 at halftime.

Freshman guard Tyra Gibson came off the bench to score 15 points for Co-Lin. Jessica Wilson led the Lady Wolves with eight rebounds.

Wolves 68, Eagles 62 

The Wolves (6-7, 2-2) controlled the game and score throughout a majority of the night. They led 40-35 at halftime and held a 54-40 lead with 13:37 left in the game. The next ten minutes would nearly be disastrous for Co-Lin as the Eagles chipped away at their lead.

A basket by Phillip Walker with 3:25 remaining moved Meridian to within one, 63-62. That however would be the final points scored of the night for MCC as Co-Lin would put it away with five made free throws down the stretch.

Sophomore forward Eric Smith had his second straight strong showing for Co-Lin as he scored 15 points and pulled down five rebounds. Sophomore guard Chris Steverson was the only other Wolf in double figures with 14 points. Co-Lin got 28 points from their bench.

Kenny Davis led Meridian with 16 points. Co-Lin held MCC leading scorer Brandon Daniels to seven points.