WESSON — Co-Lin playmaker Ivory Dishmon helped the Wolves winthe hard way Monday night in Mullen Gymnasium. Dishmon made 2 of 6free throws in the last 16 seconds as the Wolves rallied pastarchrival Southwest Community College 65-62.

“We need to work on a lot of stuff between now and Thursday,”said Dishmon. “I need to work on my free throws.”

Winning ugly and shooting 34 percent from the field, Co-Lin(11-6, 6-3) survived a scare and a gallant effort by Southwest’sBears (1-18, 0-9). The Wolves got 17 points from guard JoeHolliday, 15 from Dishmon and 10 from center Arvel Keys.

“Give Southwest credit,” said Dishmon. “They played like theywanted to win. Gulf Coast is a much better than Southwest, so webetter be ready. We need to keep working hard and win a statechampionship.”

The state tournament will be held Feb. 27 through March 2, atthe site of the North Division men’s champion. Co-Lin is battlingfor one of the top four spots in the South Division which wouldqualify the Wolves for the state tournament.

With 16 seconds left in the game, and Co-Lin leading 63-62,Dishmon missed twice from the free throw line but Keys snatched therebound and Dishmon was fouled again. This time, with 7.6 ticksleft, Dishmon made his first free throw and rebounded the secondafter a long carom off the iron. He was fouled again and made 1free throw with 4.6 seconds left.

“I was only happy with the score and that’s it,” said Co-Linmen’s coach Dennis Sims. “Southwest’s kids plays hard. They tookadvantage of our defense by penetrating.”

Sims watched the Bears take a 5-point, 44-39 lead, on a cornertrey by guard Bobby Steptoe of Amite, La. Steptoe is the nephew offormer Co-Lin NJCAA All-American Johnny Steptoe (Class of1987).

Co-Lin’s full-court pressure finally got some results. TheWolves went on an 8-0 run and claimed the lead at 54-52 on adriving layup and a free throw by Holliday.

Dishmon’s short jumper off a steal made it 56-52 with 5:31left.

Southwest enjoyed its last lead at 62-60 on a putback byKendrick Grayson. Geric Anderson’s baseline drive gained anotherCo-Lin deadlock. Holliday’s free throw made it 63-62 with 48seconds left.

“We’ve had a lot of tough losses like that,” said a disappointedSouthwest coach Bill Wallace. “We gave a good effort.”

Wallace has lost 12 players to either grades or injuries sinceschool began last August. The Bears, derailed by 20 turnovers, got17 points from Brian Phelps, a 6-2 freshman guard from Vicksburg.Greg Hughes, a 6-5 freshman forward from Liberty, added 13 pointsand 6 rebounds.