Co-Lin sweeps E. Central

Published 6:00 am Tuesday, January 15, 2002

WESSON – Tiania Burns made the plays and Mindy Livaudaismaintained the boards as the Copiah-Lincoln Community College LadyWolves kept rolling along undefeated with a strong 72-63 Mondaynight victory over South Division rival East Central. The LadyWolves remained unbeaten in 12 games.

In the men’s game last night in Mullen Gymnasium, Co-Linambushed Central 80-74, led by sophomore post B.J. Black’s 15points and forward Jaimie Collier’s 14.

Co-Lin resumes play Thursday night at Hinds in Utica. Thewomen’s game tips off at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 7:45.

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The Lady Wolves (12-0, 2-0), took a quick 22-7 lead over theLady Warriors as Burns produced hot shooting. East Central (7-4,1-1) made a rally to end the first half trailing 44-22.

“We played pretty well in the first half, except around the7-minute mark,” said Co-Lin women’s coach Gwyn Young. “We moved theball around more.”

As well as the Lady Wolves played in the first half, EastCentral had an answer for them in the second half. A half-courttrapping defense hampered Co-Lin’s attack.

East Central’s press and improved offense allowed the LadyWarriors to cut their deficit to 6 points, 54-48, with 7:01 toplay. The Lady Wolves got a boost from Brookhaven sophomore guardAlexya Irvin who sacked back-to-back treys and gave them acushion.

Irvin, Burns and Livaudais took over in the final minutes andkept Co-Lin unbeaten. Burns, a freshman from Nashville, Tenn.,finished with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Livaudais, a 6-foot sophomore post from New Orleans, accountedfor 18 points and 12 rebounds. Irvin finished with 12 points.

“East Central’s press gave us problems in the second half,” saidYoung. “We are going to have to work on that and execute betterwhen we have the lead.”

The Lady Warriors got 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals fromsophomore Nikki Lacour.

The Wolves (4-8, 1-1) got a big win last night, overcoming anearly 8-2 East Central lead. Directing the Warriors (4-7, 1-1) intheir pressure defense were James Denson and Donzel Crenshaw.Co-Lin answered with big plays. A trey by Collier tied the gamewith 4:14 left in the first half.

East Central led 30-28 at halftime but the Wolves went on asecond-half scoring blitz. Co-Lin outscored the Warriors 52-44 inthe second half. The Wolves went on a 12-1 run with 14 minutes leftto play.

Co-Lin held a comfortable lead but East Central finished strong,sacking 6 straight treys. Clutch free throws preserved the win.

“We defended well in the second half,” said Co-Lin men’s coachDennis Sims. “We came out more focused. Bruce Smith made the freethrows down the stretch when we need them.”

Smith, Chad Smith and Jason Scott each scored 10 points forCo-Lin.

East Central got 16 points from Corey Hornsby.