UTICA, Miss.– Mychala "Pooh" Linzy (Clinton) is beginning to come into her own.

With Pearl River's Lady Wildcats needing to bounce back in a big way, the former Clinton Arrow answered the call Thursday night, scoring 24 points to lead PRCC past Hinds 65-52.

The career night obliterated her previous high of 15 points, which Linzy set Monday against No. 9 Jones College.

"This needs to be the headline: Coaches call plays and players make plays. Pooh Linzy tonight was unbelievable," PRCC coach Scotty Fletcher said of Linzy, who added two assists and four rebounds in just over 30 minutes. "We're wearing on her and playing her too many minutes, but to be a freshman in this league and play like that, she's going to be fun to watch the next couple of years."

Linzy wasn't PRCC's only big-time performer Thursday, however. Forward Meah Monroe (Reserve, La.; East St. John) also recorded a career high with 12 points along with seven rebounds.

"I'm so proud of her. She's grown up," Fletcher said. "With 12 points and seven rebounds, that's the performance we have to have from her. She has to be a force on the inside."

Fletcher also credited Dywana Parker (Gulfport), Jakia Harper (Jackson; Provine) and Olivia Mosley (Pearl) for stepping up in their respective roles when called upon. The three scored five, eight and six points respectively.

"We're continuing to grow and get better in so many areas," Fletcher said. "I thought our ball movement was really good. When you move the ball, share the ball and see the ball go in, you become a better passing team. We did a good job of finding the open girls." 

GOOD WEEK

While Thursday's victory should go a long way in flushing Monday's disappointment, the week in its entirety is what stands out to Fletcher.

"I'm very proud of our girls. Our last two games didn't' go the way we planned, but we had unbelievable practices," Fletcher said. "I've been saying since Day 1 that this group is a very fun group to coach.  They're probably the best group I have had since I've been here."

OFF AND RUNNING

PRCC (8-4 overall, 2-2 MACJC) scored the game's first six points and held a narrow 19-18 advantage at the first break. A 6-0 run mid-way through the second quarter helped the Lady Wildcats build a 30-24 halftime advantage. Linzy made two of her five 3-pointers in the third quarter to keep Pearl River ahead of HCC 47-41 after three quarters. A 10-0 run in the fourth sealed the bounce-back victory.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

Hinds' attack is boosted on most nights by one of the league's more dangerous scorers. While Victoria Johnson scored just above her 21.2 scoring clip, the Lady Wildcats did a good job of frustrating her supporting staff.

"Victoria is a special player," Fletcher said. "I told them we had to make someone else beat us."

Hinds' 52 points were nine below their previous season-low, which was a point of pride for Fletcher.

"Hinds is dangerous offensively, so to hold them in their gym to 52 was big," he said. "We have to hold teams under their average. We have to do that to give ourselves a chance and we're buying into that."

NEXT UP

The Lady Wildcats will return to action Saturday with a 2 p.m. tip at Baton Rouge before wrapping up their three-game road trip Tuesday at rival Gulf Coast. The game in Perkinston is set for a 5:30 p.m. start. It will be broadcast on WRJW 1320 AM, WRJWRadio.comand livestreamed at MGCCCBulldogs.com. 

For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on Twitter (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).