2004

WEEKOF .J'o.C

Lady Warriors grab slim win over Co-Lin DECATUR- East Central Com– munity College and Copiah-Lincoln Community College have had many tough battles as two of the premier women's basketball teams in the MACJC South Division and Monday's contest was no exception. ECCC, ranked 23rd nationally, held off a late charge by the Lady Wolves to take a 68-64 victory ~~~~~ in the Brackeen- -< Wood Physical Edu– cation Building. ECCC improved to 13-2 overall and ~ 1 in division play. Co-Lin dropped to 8-6 and 3-2. The Lady Warriors led by as many as 12 points in the first three minutes of the second half before Co-Lin came storming back. "You just don't blow out a team coached by Gwyn Young," ECCC head coach Brad Hodge said. "We got out to a good lead in the first half and were able to maintain a lead even though they closed the gap. "With two teams as defensive– minded as they are, they are going to go after each other and try to take each other out of what they do best It was good tug of war." The Lady Warriors used a 3-pointer from Monique Overstreet, a steal and layup from Kristen Chaney, and a 3- pointer from Kotreece Bender to grab a 34-24 lead late in the first half. ECCC took a 35-28 lead into half– time behind nine points each from Kim Cox and Rita Birden. The LadyWarriors opened up a 42- 30 lead behind four points from Lenore Gray in the first three minutes of the second half. APPEARED IN: By Marty Stamper EMG sports assistant

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and Victoria Richardson. Co-Lin (men)

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ECCC 68 The Warriors fell to 0-5 in the division and 5-9 overall with the 15-point loss. Co-Lin improved to 2-3 and 7-7. The Wolves scored 20 of the last 29 points of the first half to turn a 25-25 tie 'into a 45-34 midway lead. Co-Lin held a 52-40 lead early in the second half, only to have the Warriors rally to within 5~53 on a 3-pointer by Jamaal Martin with 11:41 to go. After Al Willis tied the game at 64 on a layup with seven min– utes left, the Wolves scored 19 of the game's last 23 points to pull away. The Warriors got 17 points from Willis, 15 from Dewayne Hughes, and 14 from Martin. Co-Lin was led by Ledell Eackles' 30 points. Dexter Mid– dleton scored .19r.and Jeremy Richard:>o 1 had 15.

After a timeout, the Lady War– riors converted the turnover into a game-clinching three– point play by Viverette with 26.9 seconds left. "That's what players do, make plays," Hodge said of the LadyWarriors' answering each Co-Lin challenge. "In a tight situation, we were fortunate to get that done. "One of big keys was Kim Cox coming off the bench and giving us a great spark. She was 3-of-5 from the 3-point line and that was huge for us. Monique hit a huge 3 too and that was definitely beneficial." Birden led ECCC in scoring with 13 points. Chaney and Cox both had 12. Gray had 10, and Viverette nine. Co-Lin got 14 points from Travalyn Smith, 13 from Renee Fields, 12 from Gloria Lewis, and eight each from Melton

A 10-0 run by Co-Lin pulled the Lady Wolves to within 42-40 with 14 minutes remaining. A basket just inside the 3-point line by Jessica Melton as the shot clock sounded cut Co-Lin's deficit to 47-46 with 10 min– utes showing. Birden scored on a pass from Bender on a 3-on-2 break to extend ECCC's lead to 51-46 with 8:23 to go. The Lady Warriors saw their lead cut to two before a basket from Kimy– attaViverette put ECCC up 61-54 with 4:51 remaining. The LadyWolves battled towithin a point on two more occasions, the last coming with 1:49 showing. Chaney made two free throws with 57 seconds left and:Viverette took the ball away from Melton just beyond midcourt with 42 seconds to play.

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