Eackles scores 30; leads Co-Lin victory

Published 6:00 am Tuesday, January 20, 2004

DECATUR — Freshman guard Ledell Eackles conducted a shootingclinic Monday night, scoring 30 points and leading the Co-LinWolves to an 83-68 victory over the East Central Community CollegeWarriors. Eackles had 18 points at halftime.

In the women’s game last night, nationally-ranked East Centralheld off Co-Lin 68-64 as 4 Lady Warriors scored in doublefigures.

Co-Lin resumes play Thursday night, hosting archrival SouthwestMississippi Community College for a South Division doubleheader.The women’s game tips off at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 7:45 inMullen Gymnasium.

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The Wolves (7-7, 2-3) rebounded from adisappointing home floor loss to Pearl River to win convincingly onthe road. Freshman guard Dexter Middleton supported Eackles with 19points and sophomore Jeremy Richardson scored 16.

“Ledell shot the ball well but more importantly, he worked hardto put himself in a position to get open,” said Co-Lin men’s coachDennis Sims. “Another plus was Dexter Middleton coming off thebench to make some big shots.”

Eackles, a 5-10 freshman from Baton Rouge, sacked 4 of 8 treysand 6 of 8 field goal attempts from 2-point range. He made 6 of 8free throws to achieve his season-high total.

Co-Lin forged an 11-point, 45-34 halftime lead over the Warriorswho fell to 5-9 overall and remained winless (0-5) in the SouthDivision.

The Warriors got 17 points from Al Willis and 14 from JamaalMartin. Ryan Hudson had 6 rebounds.

The Lady Wolves (8-6, 3-2) got 14 points fromTravalyn Smith, 13 from Renee Fields and 12 from Gloria Lewis in alosing cause. As a team they made 25 of 57 field goal attempts butwere 0-for-5 from 3-point range.

“We did a better job on the boards in the second half,” saidCo-Lin women’s coach Gwyn Young. “But every time we cut the lead totwo or three points, we would make a turnover.

“Give East Central credit. They did a good job on both ends ofthe floor,” Young added. “Hopefully we can learn from our mistakesand get better.”

In the first half, Co-Lin was outrebounded by the Lady Warriors.For the game, East Central held a 32-26 rebounding advantage, ledby Lenore Gray and Kimyatta Viverett with 7 boards apiece.

Smith had 7 rebounds for Co-Lin and Lauren Williams 5.

Offensively, Rita Birden led East Central (13-2) with 13 points.Kristen Chaney and Kim Cox chipped in 12 points apiece. Gray had 7rebounds.