WESSON – Shareka Hunt’s 18 points led four Co-Lin players indouble figures Monday night, directing the No. 6 nationally-rankedLady Wolves to a 74-55 trouncing of the Southwest MississippiCommunity College Lady Bears. Hunt was supported by Brandi Simmonswith 13 points, Latoria Holder with 12 and Naketa Roberts with10.

In the men’s game, Southwest realized its first win of theseason by defeating archrival Co-Lin 67-60, sparked by PhillipMorris and D.J. Lewis with 19 and 18 points respectively in MullenGymnasium.

Co-Lin resumes play Saturday, hosting Northeast for a twinbill.The women’s game tips off at 1 p.m., followed by the men at 3.

The Lady Wolves (10-0, 2-0)

outrebounded Southwest 46-23 and snuffed out a second-half rallywith a 23-3 scoring surge. The Lady Bears (4-2, 0-1) had foughtback from an 18-point deficit to lead briefly with 12:20 left toplay.

“The game was a series of runs,” Co-Lin women’s coach Gwyn Youngnoted. “We started out good but we let (Southwest) come back.Southwest played hard.

“We finally buckled down on defense and started to make someshots.”

Simmons, a 5-11 freshman post from Jackson (Murrah) directedCo-Lin’s boardwork with 14 rebounds. Holder, a sophomore guard;accounted for 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals.

“We made a good comeback after being down by 18 or 19,” saidSouthwest women’s coach Mark Swindle. “Then Co-Lin went on a run.They made some good shots and we didn’t.”

Southwest got 16 points from Ta’keya Felder, a 5-7 sophomoreguard from Magnolia. Octavia Bearden, a 5-11 freshman fromTylertown, chipped in 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 steals. IvielStuart, a 5-8 sophomore guard from Magnolia, netted 10 points.

The Wolves (2-8, 0-2) pulled within threepoints, 59-56, on a driving layup by freshman guard Marcus Hootenwith 1:12 left to play but could come no closer. A 3-point play anda putback by Lewis, plus a pair of free throws, helped secure thehard-fought victory.

Lewis, a 6-3 freshman from Plaquemine, La., also sacked twotreys.

Southwest dominated the backboards and boasted a 31-21rebounding advantage. Chad Jones and Thompson each grabbed 10rebounds. Hooten’s 9 rebounds led Co-Lin.

“It was a great, first win for us,” said Southwest men’s coachBill Wallace who enthusiastically paced the sidelines and pushedhis team to victory. “It was a total team effort. Most important,it makes us 1-0 in the South Division.

“We have a young team and our kids deserved to win,” Wallacecontinued. “We executed our game plan.”

Hooten, a talented guard from Jackson (Provine) led all scorerswith 22 points. Sophomore forward Anthony Evans added 16 points andEarl Warren netted 12.

Co-Lin assistant coach Cliff Furr was in charge of the team dueto the hospitalization of Dennis Sims Tuesday. Sims has beenbattling a recurring intestinal ailment.

“I told our guys after the game that basketball is important butwe are more concerned about Coach Sims,” said Furr. “He has been ina lot of pain but he sucks it up and comes to work every day.”

Furr saw his team down 32-26 at halftime. For the game, Co-Linshot 33 percent from the field compared to Southwest’s 48percent.

“We had opportunities to win at the end,” said Furr. “We have torebound and work hard as a team to be successful.”