WESSON – The McLaurin Tigers made the plays when they neededdown the stretch and handed the Wesson Cobras a tough 64-62Division 6-2A loss Friday night.

In the girls game, the Lady Tigers took advantage of the LadyCobras’ cold-shooting in the first half to put together a 44-23win.

“We had poor senior leadership and a lack of focus from ourseniors and juniors,” said Wesson boys coach/principal Billy O.Britt following the loss. “We lost a ball game we should havewon.”

With the defeat, the Cobras are 1-5 in division play and 3-12 onthe season.

Senior guard Richie Miller led the Cobras with a game-high 26points, including four 3-pointers. Miller launched a near mid-courtthree pointer at the buzzer to cut the deficit to two points as thegame ended. Earlier at the free-throw line, Miller went 1-for-2 atthe 1:05 mark and the 32.9 mark.

Wesson pulled within three points, 62-59, with 15.1 seconds leftto play on another Miller 3-pointer. The Cobras had to foul theTigers and guard Dennis Cox went to the line for McLaurin and madeboth free throws for the five-point edge.

On the night, Wesson was 27 of 45 from the charity line andMcLaurin was 6 of 11.

The Cobras punched out a 19-15 lead over the Tigers in the firstquarter. McLaurin battled back to tie the game at 32-all athalftime. Going into the final frame, Wesson was leading by onepoint, 49-48. The Cobras had lead by as much as six points, 44-38when Tiger guard Eric Brown nailed back-to-back three pointers totie the game at 44-all.

For Wesson, Marcus Corley added 14 points and Billy Ray Millerhad nine points.

Powering the Tigers (10-10, 3-5) with 25 points was Keith Brown.Eric Brown finished with 15 points. Netting 13 points Cox.

The Lady Cobras (2-14, 0-6) fell behind theLady Tigers (15-4, 8-1) 10-5 in the first quarter and 25-10 at thehalf. Neither team shot well in the third quarter as McLaurincruised into the final frame on top 30-12.

“We had a lack of execution,” stated Wesson girls coach ScottJohnson. “We kept the ball on one side of the court. Three on fiveis not too good. We are playing better.”

Leading the Lady Cobras with eight points was Channell McCrory.Kail Baldwin netted six points.

Karmin McLin’s 13 points sparked McLaurin. Felicia Thomasfinished with nine points.