WESSON – A scoop shot layup by sophomore forward Terrance James with 2.6 seconds remaining was the difference in a 75-73 Copiah-Lincoln victory Monday night over Meridian.

In the women’s game, the Lady Wolves avenged an earlier season loss by muscling past Meridian, 76-66.

Wolves 75, Eagles 73 

The Wolves (9-11, 5-6) closed the game on a 7-0 run after trailing 73-68 with 3:50 remaining in the game. Early on, the story was the shooting of freshman guard LaJustin Anderson. Anderson had 19 points in the first half to propel the Wolves to a 45-44 halftime lead. Anderson finished the night with 24 points and James followed with a career high 23 points.

The Wolves, down to six players on their roster, would get big contributions from every man on the team. Head coach Kenny Bizot thought that was the key to victory.

“We all did our job tonight. I can’t tell you how proud I am of the men on this basketball team,” said a smiling Bizot.

The Eagles (5-15, 4-7) used 11 different players and a variety of trapping defenses to try and wear down the Wolves, but Co-Lin would weather every Meridian run and never let the Eagle lead get over eight.

Meridian won the rebounding battle by nine, however James would keep them off of the offensive boards late, when the Wolves were making their run.

“Besides hitting the shot to win it, I thought Terrance came up big late and got some rebounds that we really needed,” said Bizot.

James finished with a team-high 7 rebounds. Michael Vardaman scored 19 points and pulled down five rebounds for Co-Lin.

Meridian was led by 22 points from William Byrd.

Lady Wolves 76, Lady Eagles 66 

The Lady Wolves (13-7, 6-5) played a physical brand of basketball in the second half to avenge a 76-66 loss at Meridian on Jan. 16.

Co-Lin rode the hot hand of freshman guard Claresa Banks early and often through the game. Banks started the game off by scoring eight straight points and finished with 23. The Forest Hill product is averaging 25 points in her last three games.

The Lady Wolves trailed 34-32 at half and won the game in spite of being out rebounded by seven boards. In the final 20 minutes Coach Gwyn Young would see his post players respond to the physical challenge presented by the large Meridian front line. Freshman forward Maleah Isaac scored a career high 10 points. Sophomore forward Jessica Wilson scored nine points and pulled seven rebounds.

Miaya Crowder, a 6-foot-1 post player for Meridian, would score 11 points and pull down 12 rebounds for the Lady Eagles. Crowder scored 16 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in the first meeting between the teams.

The Lady Wolves remain one game back of the fourth spot in the MACJC South Division standings. The top four teams advance to the state tournament. The team ahead of them in the standings, Jones County, holds the tie breaker after sweeping Co-Lin.

Co-Lin returns to Mullen Gymnasium on Thursday night when they host East Central. Tip off for the women’s game is at 6 p.m. followed by the men’s game. Watch live at www.colinathletics.com or listen on WMJU 104.3 FM in Brookhaven.