BAY SPRINGS – Top-ranked Wayne County authored a strong second half and beat the West Lincoln Bears 69-51 Saturday in the Bay Springs Shootout. The Class 5A War Eagles trailed the Bears 35-28 at halftime.

“We played well the first half and shot the ball well,” said West Lincoln coach Lane Young. “We rebounded and defended well.

“The second half was the most physical game I’ve ever been a part of,” Young noted. “We didn’t respond real well to the pressure and that was the difference. I’m still real proud of our guys.

The Bears (23-3) got 23 points from sophomore guard Duane Marshall and 10 from junior center Sam Bivens who also grabbed 8 rebounds. Lucas Burris had 7 rebounds before fouling out. Teammates Jared Case and Tamarcus d London also fouled out.

Wayne County (26-1) got 22 points from Derrick Tompkins and 18 from Don Lewis.

West Lincoln hosts Bogue Chitto Tuesday night for a Region 7-1A varsity doubleheader. A JV boys game will be played at 5 p.m.