MERIDIAN — Co-Lin received a double-dose of the MeridianCommunity College Eagles Monday night in a key South Divisionshowdown. In the women’s game, NaDasha Strickland’s 30-pointoutburst led the Lady Eagles to an 83-77 victory against the LadyWolves.

In the men’s game and an identical final score, Meridian beatthe Wolves 83-77, powered by Otis Williams with 34 points and RegisHuddleston with 29.

Co-Lin makes its final home floor appearance of the seasonThursday night, hosting Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.The women’s game tips off at 6 p.m., in Mullen Gymnasium, followedby the men at 8.

The Wolves (15-6, 9-2) couldn’t keep pace withthe sharpshooting Eagles last night. Both teams shot 50 percentfrom the floor (25-for-50) but Meridian sacked 12 of 17 from3-point range. Williams, a 5-foot-11 point guard from Jackson, hit8 of 10 from beyond the arc. He scored 27 of his game-high total inthe second half surge.

“We allowed Williams to get too many open looks,” said Co-Linmen’s coach Dennis Sims. “We also took too many threes in thesecond half when we needed to go inside.”

Co-Lin holds a 1-game lead over Meridian in the South Divisionrace for first place. Seedings will determine the top 4 South teamsin the MACJC State Tournament at Itawamba Community College inFulton, starting Feb. 25-28.

The Wolves got 22 points from guard Trent Hutchin and 21 apiecefrom Greg Truvillion and Anthony Wilcher. Truvillion and guardCorey London both fouled out of the game.

The Lady Wolves (15-6, 6-5) allowed Meridianthe most points scored against them this season. Jennifer Ware, a6-foot sophomore post from Velma Jackson, scored 20 points andgrabbed 19 rebounds in the victory in support of Strickland, a 5-9sophomore forward from Bay Springs.

Strickland sacked 21 points in the second half. Co-Lin struggledat the free throw line, going 7-for-17. The Lady Wolves alsocommitted 20 turnovers.

“We had an opportunity to win the game but we had too manymistakes in executing our offense,” said Co-Lin women’s coach GwynYoung “We didn’t score and we let Meridian have too many offensiverebounds.

“Jennifer Ware killed us on the offensive boards,” he continued.”We played hard but it’s difficult to beat the division leader whenyou have 20 turnovers.”

Co-Lin got 23 points and 9 rebounds from sophomore post KristinEllis. Alisha Mason added 14 points and Reisha Bullock netted12.

Meridian hiked its record to 19-3 overall and 9-2 in theSouth.