Bears defeat Co-Lin Wolves in opening round of Region XXIII Tournament

Saturday March 9,2024

Wesson , MS: Men's Basketball

The Baton Rouge Bears traveled up I-55 today to Wesson Mississippi to start Region XXIII tournament play against the Copiah Lincoln Wolves. It was a back and forth game between the Bears and the Wolves but the Bears would pull off the 70-65 Region XXIII first round victory.

The first half was a close back and forth affair between the Bears and the Wolves.  After the game was tied at nine with 15:20 remaining the Wolves would go on a 14-6 run to open up their largest lead of the ballgame eight points;23-15 with 8:54 remaining in the half.  The Bears would go on a 8-0 run to tie the game at 23 with 6:50 remaining.  The game would be tied two more times in the next five minutes. The Bears would go into the half with a slim 32-31 lead.

The second half was similar to the first half as it was a back and forth between the two ball clubs and the game would be secured in the final minutes of the ballgame.The Wolves would open the half on an 8-2 run to take a three point lead;39-36 with 17:53 remaining. The Bears would tie the game at 39 with a bucket by Courtney McCarthy with 17:34. The game went back and forth for the next six minutes. The Bears had a chance to increase their lead at the ten minute mark because Courtney McCarthy was fouled on a play. The Co-Lin coach was unhappy with the called and expressed his frustration resulting in a technical foul. McCarthy would shot his free throws and the technical foul. He would make 2 of 4 to give the Bears the 50 to 46 lead. In the following three minutes, the game would see two ties and two lead changes. With 7:12 remaining the Bears held a slim 54 to 53 lead over the Wolves. The game would come down to the final seconds. Co-Lin would have a chance to tie the game after Seviuhn Turner would connected on two free throws to give the Bears the 68 to 65 lead but the Wolves three point shot would rim in and rim out. The Wolves would foul Jarrell Love, who would make two free throws to seal the 70 to 65 victory for the Bears. With the victory the Bears get to fight another day in the Region XXIII tournament.

Jarrell Love led the Bears in scoring with 18 points. The Bears had two student athletes score in double figures. Courterius Scott led the Wolves in scoring with 23 points. The Wolves had three student athletes score in double figures.

Bears Highlights:

Jarrell Love led all Bears with 18 points and 7 rebounds.

Courtney McCarthy added 16 points and 6 rebounds.

Seviuhn Turner scored 9 points with 7 rebounds.

With the victory the Bears improved to 14-12 while the Wolves finish the season 16-11.

The Bears will travel to Ellisville, Mississippi on Monday March 11, 2024 to take on the Jones College Bobcats at 6 pm in A. B. Howard Gymnasium.

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