POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The Pearl River men's basketball team knew to expect a battle as it traveled to East Mississippi on Thursday night and the Wildcats got just that, falling to the Lions 66-60.
GAME RECAP
In nearly every meeting between Pearl River (19-6 overall; 6-4 MACCC) and East Mississippi (13-12; 6-4), there is little to no separation throughout, and it was the same Thursday night. In the first half alone, the teams combined for eight lead changes and seven ties.
The Lions took their largest lead of the first half with about 11 minutes left, going ahead 15-10. The Wildcats fired right back with a pair of 3-pointers. All of the attention was on Austin Green (Sicklerville, N.J.; Timber Creek Regional) inside the paint, and he fired to the top of the arc for Dorien Goodman (Dallas, Texas; Lancaster), who hit nothing but net on his shot. Goodman was on the assist on the next basket, finding Cedquavious Hunter (Como; North Panola) on the left wing for a long-range 3-pointer, 16-15 PRCC. Ta'Zir Smith (Woodbridge, Va.; Virginia Academy) made it an 18-15 advantage with a 2-for-2 trip to the free-throw line.
The game remained tied or with Pearl River in front until just under four minutes in the half when EMCC took a 27-26 lead on a layup.
Hunter immediately propelled PRCC back in front by hitting a 3-pointer from the MACCC logo placed on East Mississippi's court, 29-27. The Wildcats maintained the lead for a bit, but just before the half ended, the Lions took the lead, 35-34.
Pearl River had its work cut out for it in the second half, trying to fight back in front of a raucous home crowd. The Wildcats fell behind 48-41 before Smith stepped back behind the 3-point line and buried a long-range shot to make it a four-point deficit, 48-44.
Shortly after, Hunter hit from beyond the arc to make it a three-point deficit, 50-47. EMCC fought back and extended its advantage to eight points, 58-50.
Needing a spark, Smith gave his best effort at getting the Wildcats back into the game. He first drove into the lane and knocked down a reverse layup and a few plays got another layup to fall, 61-57. The Lions picked up a huge basket of their own before Smith stepped up again, losing his defender and stepping back behind the arc to drain a 3-pointer, 63-60.
PRCC was forced to foul to keep the clock from expiring and couldn't get its last few shot opportunities to fall, eventually losing 66-60.
LEADING THE WAY
It was a big night for Smith, who finished with 25 points and hit five 3-pointers. Hunter was the only other Wildcat in double figures, finishing with 11 points and making three 3-pointers. Green had eight points in the first half but did not play in the second half.
NEXT UP
The Wildcats return to Marvin R. White Coliseum on Monday for a 7:30 p.m. contest against Holmes.
TUNE IN
All home Pearl River basketball games are livestreamed for free at PRCCMedia.com/Gold. Fans who have Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app stores.
Games will also be available over the air in Pearl River County by tuning into 1320-AM and 106.9 FM. The radio broadcast is also available at WRJWRadio.com and by downloading the WRJW app.
TICKETS
To help improve traffic flow and fan experience, PRCC athletics box offices will be cashless in 2023-24. Only credit and debit cards will be accepted at the box office. Fans are encouraged to beat the lines and purchase their tickets in advance at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets.
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