WESSON — The host Co-Lin Wolves meet the nationally ranked No.7 Northwest Community College Rangers for the MACJC State Men’sBasketball Tournament championship tonight at 7:45 p.m. in MullenGymnasium.

The Wolves (20-9) eliminated the Itawamba Indians 78-71Wednesday night in the semifinals. Northwest (25-2) dumped Hinds91-72 to set up tonight’s matchup.

In women’s action, Mississippi Delta clipped East Central 59-51and Northwest nipped Northeast 84-81 in the semifinals. Delta facesNorthwest tonight at 6 for the women’s title.

Co-Lin 78, Itawamba 71

“This was a really tough game,” said Co-Lin men’s head coachDennis Sims following the win. “It was a poorly played game at bothends. There were a lot of blocks and charges called.”

With 1:50 remaining in the game, Itawamba cut the Co-Lin lead tothree points, 73-70. Sophomore guard Brandon Caston made a stealfor a quick layup and pushed the Wolves lead to 75-70.

The Indians couldn’t score on two consecutive trips down thecourt as the Wolves grabbed the rebounds on defense and forcedItawamba to foul in the final minute of play.

Freshmen guards Ivory Dishmon went 2-for-4 and Joe Holliday was1-for-2 down the stretch to help secure the win.

The Wolves got a break with 2:55 left in the game when Itawambasophomore guard Reggie Gunn was assessed a technical foul afterfouling Co-Lin’s Tremaine Enoch. Caston netted the two freebies offthe technical and Enoch was 1-for-2 to give the Wolves a 5-point,73-68, lead.

At halftime, Co-Lin led Itawamba by one point, 39-38.

Sims felt the difference in the game was the play from thebench. “Enoch defended Itawamba’s No. 21 (Courtney Bradley),” saidSims.

Bradley was held to 12 points last night. In an earlierencounter with Co-Lin, Bradley finished with a game-high 31 pointswhen the Indians prevailed in the Northwest Tournament.

Enoch finished with 5 points and 7 rebounds. Sims also mentionedDishmon and sophomore guard Luke Lofton for the play off the bench.Lofton received a cut on his head during the contest.

Sophomore guard Ledell Eackels powered Co-Lin with 19 points.Caston finished with 14 points, 2 steals and 3 assists. Pumping in12 points and blocking 2 shots was Cedric Walker. Ivory Dishmonnetted 10 points. Joe Holliday pulled down 6 rebounds followed byArvel Keys with 5 rebounds.

The Wolves lost starting guard Dexter Middleton to an ankleinjury which is expected to put him on the sidelines tonight.

Itawamba, coached by Marty Cooper, finished the season 19-8.Mike Sampson led with 16 points, 7 rebounds and blocked 2 shots.Demetrius Shannon followed with 12 points. Netting 11 points andblocking 2 shots was Gunn.

“We have our hands full,” said Sims about the game withNorthwest tonight. “We’re happy to be in that position.”

Northwest 91, Hinds 72

Powering the Northwest men with 18 points apiece were LamarSanders and Adrian Banks. Scoring 14 points was Joemal Campbell.Byron Ray scored 10 points.

For Hinds, Keron Jackson led with 23 points followed by KikiChristmas with 21.

Miss. Delta 59, East Central 51

Pacing the Miss. Delta women with 19 points was Jazmine Cain.Jameica Gross fired in 13 points. Vancherrika Mitchell netted 12points. Jessica Boyd finished with 10.

East Central got 12 points from Kim Cox. Netting 11 points eachwere Shannon Lloyd and Kotreece Bender.

Northwest 84, Northeast 81

Nikita Taylor’s game-high 31 points led the Northwest women.Sharlene Murphy pumped in 21 points. Finishing with 12 points wasTakela Gunn.

Directing Northeast with 21 points was Krystal Robinson.Brittany Boone netted 14 points, followed by Ashley Jones with10.