BOONEVILLE, Miss. — It was a battle from start to finish Thursday night, but the Pearl River men's basketball team came up short on the road against Northeast, 78-73.

With the loss, Pearl River has earned the No. 10 seed in the upcoming Region 23 Tournament and will travel to Fulton on Saturday to take on No. 7 seed Itawamba at 4 p.m. If the Wildcats advance, they will take on No. 2 seed Northeast again Monday.

The Tigers (26-4 overall; 11-3 MACCC) took the lead over Pearl River (20-9; 7-7) right as the game began and never lost it. PRCC made it a one-point game at 11-10 when Cedquavious Hunter (Como; North Panola) hit a long-range 3-pointer.

Northeast grew its advantage to 12 points with 10:37 left in the first half, 28-16. The Wildcats didn't lay down, though, fighting back to make it a four-point game after a pair of Austin Green (Sicklerville, N.J.; Timber Creek Regional) free throws, 30-26.

Pearl River kept the game within striking distance throughout the half as Northeast carried a 44-35 advantage into the break.

The Tigers entered the second half hot and eventually took its largest lead at 14 points, 57-43. Pearl River attempted to fight back but couldn't get it done, falling 78-73.

BY THE NUMBERS
Smith had a game-high 30 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Green finished with a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double. Ezereke Dawson Jr. (Plant City, Fla.) pulled down nine boards and dished out four assists.

TUNE IN
Pearl River's game at Itawamba will be livestreamed at LetsGoICCTV.com.

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