WESSON — Freshman Co-Lin guard Joe Holliday provided theheroics Monday night in Mullen Gymnasium. Holliday sank alast-second, 3-point goal from the corner to gain the Wolves a73-73 deadlock with Pearl River Community College at the end ofregulation.

In the 5-minute overtime, Co-Lin got 2 field goals and 2 freethrows from Cedric Walker as the Wolves pulled out an 85-78 SouthDivision victory. Holliday finished with a game-high 28 points,sacking 7 treys along the way.

“I want to emphasize that this was a team victory,” saidHolliday, a 6-2 Baton Rouge, La. product. “I’m happy we came outwith a win.”

Holliday, an emotional leader on Co-Lin’s team, praised headcoach Dennis Sims. “Coach deserves credit. He makes us practice. Ialways practice shooting from the corner.”

Sims saw his Wolves down by 7 points, 70-63, with 3:17 left toplay. Holliday sank a trey to start a late rally. Teammate DexterMiddleton hit a 16-footer and 2 free throws in the run.

After the Wildcats, missed a late jumper, Holliday launched adesperation shot from past midcourt which hit the side of the rimas the buzzer sounded.

Holliday was joined in double figures by Ledell Eackles with 19points, Walker with 18 and Middleton with 12. Co-Lin’s 52 percentshooting from the field overcame a massive 40-17 rebounding deficitas the larger Wildcats dominated the backboards.

“Joe got a good look and he made the shot,” said Sims. “Joe hasa great shot, a soft shot.

“Pearl River was bigger and quicker than us for 35 minutes,”Sims noted. “In overtime our guys got rejuvenated. Cedric gettingthe tipoff and scoring put pressure on Pearl River,” inovertime.

The Wolves (17-7, 11-2), tied with Hinds for the top rung in theSouth, want to host the state tournament next week. However, theyneed a win at Jones County Junior College Thursday night to sealthe deal.

Pearl River (12-12, 6-7), unable to match its win over Co-Lin atPoplarville, got 27 points from 6-3 freshman forward Jeremy Holderof Lumberton.

Pearl River got 22 points from freshman heavyweight centerThomas Fraise of New Orleans. Fraise (6-5, 280) also displayed asoft shooting touch. He made 10 of 17 field goal attempts,including a trey, plus grabbing 11 rebounds.

The Wildcats, coached by Richard Mathis, had forged a 7-point,70-63 lead. The Wolves committed 5 straight turnovers in fallingbehind.

Pearl River made 2 critical turnovers in the last 2 minutes ofthe game. The Wildcats struggled with 25 turnovers in the game.

Co-Lin sophomore guard Brandon Caston provided the Wolves with 9assists and 4 rebounds, both team highs. Eackles made 6assists.