COLUMBIA-The Lawrence County Cougars and Lady Cougars both enter tonight’s Division 7-4A showdowns with McComb carrying two-game winning streaks in division play. Both LCHS teams moved to 2-0 in division play by winning at Columbia on Tuesday night. In the girls’ game, Vicki Rutland’s girls won by a 61-54 score. In boys’ action, a late basket by Lawrence County’s Phillip Moore gave the Cougars a 54-53 win.

Vicki Rutland’s Lady Cougars won largely on the strength of a 23-point second-quarter outburst. Deneisha Dickson and Latasha Rhodes each scored 7 points in the decisive period. The strong quarter gave LCHS a 36-24 halftime lead. awrence County stretched that margin to as many as 16 points in the third quarter. Columbia cut into that lead a bit, but never seriously challenged for the win.

“We had a pretty good night,” said Rutland, whose girls improved to 5-16 overall. “We’ve had some really slow starts in the first quarter, but we had a decent start tonight, then we shot the lights out in the second quarter. We’re thrilled to be 2-0 in the division.”

Dickson had a big night, with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals, and 4 assists. Rhodes added 10 points and 6 rebounds. Nikedra Brown and Alexsundria Thomas each scored 7 points. Thomas pulled down 5 rebounds.

The boys’ game was a thriller. Columbia led 41-33 through three quarters, but Lawrence County exploded for 21 fourth-quarter points. Gabriel Lewis scored 10 points in the decisive period, on two 3-pointers and two 2-point baskets. It was Moore’s driving layup, however, in the waning moments, that gave LCHS the winning points.

“It’s great to be 2-0,” said Cougar coach Pat Bridges, whose boys improved to 6-12 overall. “We had a great fourth quarter, and we had four guys in double figures tonight. I know we’re facing a great challenge against McComb, but we look forward to giving them our best shot.”

Moore and Gaylon Pittman each scored 12 points to lead the Cougars. Moore also pulled down a team-high 7 rebounds. Lewis and Keith Davis each scored 11 points. Davis had 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Lewis added 5 steals. Keyshawn Feazell had 3 blocked shots.

Lawrence County hosts McComb. The McComb boys are Mississippi’s top-ranked 4A team, their only loss was an overtime loss last week to 5A powerhouse Callaway. Varsity girls’ action begins at 6 p.m.