CLINTON – Co-Lin shot the ball poorly and suffered theconsequences Monday in the opening round of the NJCAA Region 23Basketball Tournament. The Holmes Bulldogs posted a 64-49 victoryagainst the Wolfpack, ending Co-Lin’s long campaign in MississippiCollege’s A.E. Wood Coliseum.

In other opening round games, Itawamba upset state championJones County 83-66, Pearl River outscored Gulf Coast 84-83 and EastMississippi eliminated Southern/Shreveport 83-75.

Holmes advances to Wednesday’s semifinals and meets EastMississippi at noon. Itawamba faces Pearl River at 2 p.m.

Four region games are on tap today in the women’s bracket,starting at noon with Northwest meeting East Miss. No. 1 seed JonesCounty, the state champion, meets Southwest at 2 p.m., followed bystate runner-up Co-Lin versus East Central at 6 and Meridian versusItawamba at 8.

Co-Lin (15-14), runner-up to Jones in last week’s statetournament, shot a cold 37 percent from the field. Leading scorerTrent Hutchin was limited to 7 points, 14 below his average,Hutching was 0-for-7 from 3-point range.

As a team, Co-Lin only made 4 of 22 from behind the 3-pointline.

“We struggled in every aspect of the game,” said Co-Lin men’scoach Dennis Sims. “We struggled to shoot and we struggled toguard. We had a tough time getting things to go for us.

“Holmes has a good team.”

The Wolves got 15 points and 5 rebounds from sophomore forwardLewanski Newsome. Guard Rob Wallace tossed in 11 points. TorrianSanders grabbed 7 rebounds.

Holmes (18-8) outrebounded Co-Lin 36-25.

“My guys played well and we were ready to play,” said Holmeshead coach Jason Flanigan, a former Ole Miss star. “We knew Co-Linwould be tough so we had to bring our best game to compete withthem.”

Flanigan’s Bulldogs shot 49 percent from the field. They weredirected by 6-foot-3 guard Gabe Osagie’s 12 points. Clyde Moore andBrandon Bell netted 10 points apiece.

On the backboards, Diamon Alexander led Holmes with 11rebounds.