Fairman sparks Co-Lin comeback; Lady Wolves romp
Published 7:00 pm Wednesday, December 14, 2011
WESSON – Christmas arrived early for Co-Lin men’sbasketball coach Dennis Sims. His Wolves presented him with adramatic 81-76 comeback win Tuesday night against the Delgado Community CollegeDolphins. Freshman center Fred Fairman directed the victory with 20points and 5 rebounds as the Wolfpack erased a 14-point, 39-25halftime deficit in Mullen Gymnasium.
In the women’s game, Co-Lin howled to a 75-59 victory in theirfinal action of 2011. Co-Lin resumes play Jan. 7, atDelgado in NewOrleans.
The Wolves (5-5, 0-2) rebounded from a disappointing home floorloss to Pearl River. They shot 60 percent from the field in thesecond half and made 23 of 32 free throws in the final 20 minutes of action, includinga near-perfect 11 of 12 in the last 1:40 of the game. Guard JosephCunningham went 6-for-6 at the charity line.
“Coach (Sims) told us we had to do better in the second half,” saidFairman, a Brookhaven product. “We had to make our shots. We cameout and played as a team and got the victory.”
Cunningham and freshman guard Jay Case both went scoreless in thefirst half but finished with 10 and 11 pointsrespectively. Case’s treyfrom the corner gave Co-Lin its first lead at 70-69 with 2:45 leftto play.
Delgado (10-4) saw its victory chances dissolve as RashaunClaiborne (14 points) and Richard Bienvenu (10 points) both fouledout. Bienvenu exited on a technical foul. Cunningham and Case sank4 straight free throws on the exchange and Co-Lin’s lead grew to 5points, 74-69 with 1:40 left to play.
Sims said his team’s turnaround was impressive. “We were 0-for-11from the 3-point line and 29 percent from the field in the firsthalf. Delgado reamed us on the boards, too.”
Sims said freshman Mike Buffalo (9 points) gave his team asecond-half boost. “When we started making shots, everyone startedplaying better.”
Delgado, coached by Tommy Smith, got 16 points and 7 rebounds fromMelvin Davis, a 5-10 freshman from New Orleans.
The Lady Wolves (7-2, 2-0) got a game-high 16 points from sophomoreguard Keosha Bradley. Shealso had 5 assists and 3 steals. With her team leading by 17points, 56-39, with 9:15 left on the clock, she sat out theremainder of the game.
“Keosha shot the ball real well and I was pleased to get a wingoing into the holidays,” said Co-Lin women’s coach Gwyn Young. “Iwant us to play better defense.”
After the game, Young was presented a Christmas card signed by teammembers. Jasmine Belton and Jessica Jackson each had 13 points inthe victory.
The Lady Dolphins (2-10), coached by Edward Fields, got 14 pointsfrom Areion Banks, a 5-8 freshman guard from New Orleans. KaylaJackson added 13 points and Kirsten Black 12.