The West Lincoln Bears stayed unbeaten in Division 7-1A with a61-45 win over rival Enterprise at Jack Case Gymnasium Tuesdaynight.

West Lincoln led 36-31 with 2:07 remaining in the third quarter,but a 23-7 run gave the Bears a 59-38 lead en route to thevictory.

The Enterprise Lady Yellow Jackets kept pace in Division 7-1Awith a 40-30 win over the Lady Bears.

Bears Think Defense

“We put a lot of emphasis on defense,” said West Lincoln headcoach Jason Case. “In the first half we didn’t seem to get inposition fast enough and we weren’t moving our feet.”

Case said that Enterprise was doing a “good job of running theiroffense.”

“The game was close throughout, but they (Enterprise) seemed tohave a little lapse toward the end of the third quarter and webegan to execute,” he added.

Enterprise’s mistakes proved costly.

“We made some bad decisions on our passing late in the game,”said Enterprise head coach Billy Vaughn. “West Lincoln tookadvantage of our mistakes at that point.”

The Bears now focus their attention to the stretch run.

“We’ve got three tough road games at Bogue Chitto, St. Joe andDexter,” said Case. “We have to stay focused from here on out.”

Jamie Sisco led West Lincoln (17-5, 9-0) with 19 points,including two 3-pointers. Carlos Johnson added 17 points andgrabbed nine rebounds. Kalis Fells contributed 10 points and 10rebounds for the Bears.

Shermaine Vaughn and Rufus Allen each scored 10 points for theYellow Jackets (8-9, 4-7). Vaughn also pulled down six rebounds anddished out four assists.

The Lady Yellow Jackets’ defense kept West Lincoln in singledigits throughout the second half, but the Lady Bears managed tocut the lead to 32-30 with a 6-0 run and 2:22 remaining. At thatpoint, the game was halted for nine minutes when official KeithRuss became ill. The delay seemed to take the air out of the LadyBears, who went scoreless when the game resumed.

Roberta Johnson, who led Enterprise (13-6, 8-3) with 16 points,then proceeded to hit one field goal and sank four free throws.Lacey Palomarez provided the clincher with a steal and basket with10 seconds remaining. Johnson also pulled down six rebounds,blocked two shots, had four assists and three steals. MonicaLeggett led the Lady Jackets with 11 rebounds.

“West Lincoln played tough defensively,” said Vaughn. “The delaywith the official definitely helped us. It calmed us down.”

“We’ve been close in a number of games this year,” said CoachCase. “We just lack experience. When you have to depend on freshmenand sophomores instead of seniors, which we don’t have, well that’sasking a lot.”

Guards Dana King and Chastity Avants each scored eight points tolead the Lady Bears (7-15, 5-4).

In JV action, West Lincoln topped Enterprise in both the boysand girls games.

The Lady Bears downed Enterprise 31-11 behind Kala Shaw’s ninepoints. Anna Smith and Alicia Kennedy each scored seven points andLauren Smith added six. Vivian Lang scored six and Breann Laird hadfour for the Lady Yellow Jackets.

The Bears defeated Enterprise 47-26 behind Brooks Smith’s 17points and Drexter Adair’s 15. Terry Vining led Enterprise with 11points.