WESSON – It was a good night for basketball in Mullen Gymnasium. The Co-Lin Lady Wolves started the evening with a 68-42 trouncing of the Southwest Mississippi Community College Lady Bears in a revenge match. That was followed with a special presentation, recognizing Co-Lin women’s coach Gwyn Young for his 800th career victory.

A vocal, near-capacity crowd watched the men’s game as Southwest hung on for a narrow 88-87 win over the Wolfpack. A last-second, half-court shot by Co-Lin’s Jay Case was off target and Southwest’s fans stormed the court in a victory celebration.

Co-Lin resumes play next Thursday at East Central in Decatur. Southwest hosts Pearl River Monday and Hinds Thursday as South Division action continues.

The Lady Wolves (17-3, 8-1) maintained a tight grip on the South Division’s top rung with a dominating performance against Southwest. They got 16 points from sophomore guard Chanta Poole. Vintrice Briggs chipped in 11 points and 8 rebounds. Jessica Wilson netted 10 points and 5 rebounds as the Lady Wolves avenged a 60-59 loss at Summit on Jan. 14.

“I knew we made him (Young) mad but I didn’t know we made him that mad,” said Southwest first-year coach Brent Harris. His team was overwhelmed by Co-Lin’s full-court pressure and trailed 35-15 at halftime, shooting a cold 18 percent from the field. For the game, Southwest (12-8, 5-4) shot 21 percent.

Coach Young was presented a glass-enclosed, blue Co-Lin jersey with the number 800 on the front.

Co-Lin president Dr. Ronnie Nettles made the presentation between games. Young has amassed an overall record of 814 wins and 235 losses in 36 years at Co-Lin’s helm. “I think revenge was on our girls’ minds tonight,” Young admitted. “We attacked with our press and made them turn it over. It was a good, overall effort. Our bench came in and did a good job. We rebounded well.”

The Wolfpack (4-16, 2-8) endured another disappointing loss as Coach Casey Carter’s Bears realized a sweep of their archrivals. Southwest (13-7, 6-3) remains in contention for the top rung in the South Division race. Co-Lin, down 88-84 with 30.1 seconds left to play, got a putback from center Fred Fairman and a free throw from Tim Harrison, reducing Southwest’s lead to 1 point, 88-87, with 6.2 seconds showing on the clock.

Southwest’s Mark Bridgewater was fouled on the inbounds play with 4.9 ticks left and went to the free throw line with a 1-and-1 bonus. He missed the first shot and Case took the pass, racing for the other end of the floor.

Sophomore sensation Deville Smith tossed in 21 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, made 7 assists and 4 steals. The Jackson Callaway product, who played his freshman season at Mississippi State, scored 8 straight points on 3 field goals and 2 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute span to keep his team ahead in the closing minutes.

Southwest’s Deione Weeks, a 6-foot-3 freshman guard from Corinth, sacked 5 of 6 from beyond the arc and finished with 19 points. Weeks only had 3 treys this season before Thursday night.

“We didn’t guard No. 24 (Weeks) after he made his first threes” said Co-Lin coach Dennis Sims. “Southwest made 43 percent from the 3-point line.” Sims watched his team only make 10 of 19 from the free throw line. “That catches up with you.

“I’m proud of our guys,” Sims added . “They were down nine (points) at halftime. It’s a shame we didn’t get a shot at the end.” The Wolves had taken an 82-80 lead on a short jumper by Fairman with 2:53 left to play. That’s when Smith responded with 2 free throws and driving layup, pushing the Bears ahead 84-82. Donovan Ross and Weeks followed with field goals and it was 88-84.

Co-Lin was led by Harrison’s 20 points. Chris Steverson and Case each scored 17 points.