POPLARVILLE, Miss. — A tough shooting night plagued the Pearl River men's basketball team Monday night against Northwest as the Wildcats fell 64-57 inside Marvin R. White Coliseum.

The Wildcats shot 36.2 percent from the field in the game, which was their second-worst showing of the year. 

"We kept going up three and then having lapses on defense," head coach Chris Oney said. "They'd make a big shot. We had lineups out there that we had not even used in practice before because of necessity. Some teams can dodge the injury bug, and some teams just get hit."

 GAME RECAP
The Wildcats (18-4 overall; 5-2 MACCC) fell behind 8-4 right as the night began before fighting back to square up the game at eight apiece when Davion James (Brandon; Northwest Rankin) bounced a pass back to Dyllion Redmond (Jackson; Callaway) for an easy layup.

The Rangers (7-13; 3-5) immediately buried a 3-pointer, but Ta'Zir Smith (Woodbridge, Va.; Virginia Academy) responded with one of his own, slashing one home from the left corner, 11-11.

Trailing 16-15, Pearl River pulled off a quick five-point swing that was highlighted by a Smith 3-pointer as well as a hard-fought layup from the guard, 18-15 PRCC.

The Wildcats pulled ahead by as many as five in the first quarter when Devin Jones (Camden; Velma Jackson) tossed an off-balance shot into the air that rattled around the rim before falling in, 26-21. The Rangers battled back to cut it to a one-point game before the half ended, 26-25.

Pearl River dug itself into a hole to begin the second half, falling behind 37-32 with 12:45 remaining in the game. Led by James and Cedquavious Hunter (Como; North Panola), the Wildcats fought back to square up the game at 40-40. NWCC retook the lead with a 3-pointer, but Hunter matched it instantly, 40-40. 

Northwest caught fire shortly after, jumping ahead 52-45 with 5:37 remaining in the game. PRCC moved within three points on a highlight play by Ezereke Dawson Jr. (Plant City, Fla.), who grabbed an offensive rebound underneath the basket and threw down a vicious tomahawk slam, 52-49.

Led by James and Hunter, Pearl River remained within striking distance throughout the remaining portion of the contest. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, NWCC matched nearly every bucket to thwart the comeback attempt and secure a 64-57 victory.

LEADING THE WAY
Pearl River placed four players in double figures with Jones, Smith and Dawson Jr. all picking up 12. Hunter finished with 10 points followed by James' nine.

Smith earned a double-double by cleaning the glass for 10 rebounds. 

NEXT UP
Pearl River hits the road Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff at Southwest. The game will be livestreamed at Go.SMCCBears.TV. 

The game can be heard at 1320-AM, 106.9 FM and WRJWRadio.com.

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