Lady Wolves rise to 20-0
Published 6:00 am Tuesday, February 4, 2003
WESSON – Improving their record to 20-0 Monday night, the No. 4,nationally-ranked Co-Lin Lady Wolves remained undefeated and posteda big 82-70 South Division victory over Mississippi Gulf CoastCommunity College. Directing the triumph was sophomore guard TianiaBurns with 35 points, 8 rebounds, 7 steals and 5 assists.
Despite her stellar performance, Burns said she wasn’tsatisfied. “We didn’t play well as a team but we pulled it out. Wecame out sluggish but we had a couple of spurts.”
Burns made 12 of 21 field goal attempts and 7 of 10 free throws.She was 4 of 7 from 3-point land.
Co-Lin, 9-0 in the South, nursed a 36-34 halftime lead over theLady Bulldogs (14-6, 5-4). Coached by Greg Holmes, the LadyBulldogs claimed a 55-47 rebounding edge for the game, led by 5-10freshman Joanna Williams who finished with 16 points and 11rebounds. Williams is from Gulfport.
Co-Lin, ranked No. 4 in the nation, shot 46.5 percent from thefield. The Lady Wolves got 22 points and 6 rebounds from sophomorecenter Shaquita Smith. Freshman Lauren Williams grabbed 11rebounds.
“Gulf Coast played physical and rough,” said Co-Lin women’scoach Gwyn Young. “I was glad we were playing at home.
Gulf Coast went to the boards really hard,” Young pointed out.”We were able to get some baskets on our transition. We playedmatch-up zone and half-court man. We had a few good spurts.”
The Lady Bulldogs took a brief, 38-36 lead. Burns responded bymaking a pair of free throws and back-to-back treys for a 49-44lead. Nikki Blakely chipped in a baseline jumper and Lindsay Altmansacked 2 straight jumpers, giving Co-Lin a 7-point, 53-46 advantagewith 12:31 left to play.
Co-Lin sophomore point guard Ayme Beeson said the Lady Wolvescouldn’t afford to be complacent and rest on their perfect record.”We can’t let 20-0 go to our heads. We have to stay together andwork hard the rest of the season. We have a long way to go.”
Winner of the South Division women’s race will host the statetournament for men and women, Feb. 24-27. Co-Lin plays Jones CountyJunior College at Ellisville, Thursday night.