WESSON — Co-Lin playmaker Nikki Williams had the ball in herhands when Thursday night’s game ended. She was in the right placeat the right time as the No. 10-ranked Lady Wolves eluded the PearlRiver Community College Lady Wildcats 50-49 in MullenGymnasium.

Struggling at times, Co-Lin (17-2, 7-1) rebounded from its firstSouth Division loss of the season Monday night at Jones County andmaintained its grip on the division’s top rung. The South Divisionwomen’s champion will host the MACJC State Tournament Feb. 26-March1.

Williams sank a trey which gave Co-Lin a 44-43 lead with 7:33left to play. Both teams misfired on offense in the closingminutes. Co-Lin got 2 big baskets from sophomore post Erica Trahan,the last field goal coming with 1:09 left, giving Co-Lin a 50-48lead.

Pearl River guard Shonderlette Paul was a bundle of energy lastnight, sacking a game-high 16 points and making 4 treys. She wentto the charity line with 7.9 seconds left to play, missed her firstfree throw but made the second.

The Lady Wildcats fouled Co-Lin on the inbounds play but theLady Wolves were 1 foul away from the free throw bonus. Williamsgot the ball on the next inbounds play and was able to run out theclock.

“I told my players, ‘Don’t let them foul you. Run away fromthem,'” said Williams. “If they did foul, we had a 1-and-1.”

According to Williams, a 5-foot-7 sophomore from White Castle,La., the Lady Wolves were fortunate to beat Pearl River (11-8,4-4). “We were very off. We got frustrated shooting the ball. ThenErica hit some good ones.”

Trahan finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Williamsaccounted for 11 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. DominiqueWhitfield grabbed 5 rebounds as the Lady Wolves overcame 19turnovers.

Co-Lin women’s coach Gwyn Young said he was grateful to notchanother victory. “It wasn’t pretty but I’m happy to win. Both teamstruggled offensively and we only shot six free throws.”

Pearl River, coached by Ed Walley, slowed the pace and relied onPaul’s hot hand. She’s a 5-6 freshman from Baton Rouge.

Back-to-back treys by Paul and a 3-point play by freshman guardNicole Lowe of Jackson (Murrah), helped PRCC build a 4-point lead,40-36, with 13:02 left in the game. Calla Daggons, a 6-footsophomore post from Mereaux, La., netted 10 points and 6rebounds.

Williams praised Pearl River. “They are really good. Number 30(Paul) is real solid. Their inside game is strong, too.”

Looking ahead, Williams said Co-Lin’s goal is to host the statetournament. “Now we have to win the rest of our South Divisiongames.”

Co-Lin faces two challenging division road games next week,visiting archrival Southwest Monday night, and invading EastCentral at Decatur Thursday.