COLUMBIA, Tenn. — The No. 15 Pearl River women's basketball team opened its season on Friday night in Columbia, Tenn., completing a come-from-behind victory against Columbia State 81-63.

"At the end of the day, our goal was to be 1-0 after this trip," head coach Scotty Fletcher said. "I'm really proud that we were able to execute that. Our newcomers did a really good job of stepping up."

FIRST HALF
Avery Young (Iota, La.) started Pearl River's (1-0 overall) season off with a jump shot from the right side. Hama'ya Fielder (Philadelphia; Neshoba Central) followed that up with the Wildcats' first 3-pointer of the campaign.

Pearl River had the score at 7-3 when a full-court press forced a bad throw from Columbia State (0-1). PRCC failed to capitalize on the possession, stepping out of bounds.

Columbia State hit two 3-pointers to set the score at 9-7 in its favor and went on its first run, multiplying the score to 19-9. Mikayla Riley (Tupelo) ended the run with two points of her own before an inside basket and a sharp Columbia State shot from outside the perimeter totaled the first quarter at 24-11, Chargers. 

Alexis Arrington (Terry) opened the second quarter with three points as the Wildcats briefly flashed what became a momentum-fueled run. Fielder hit a 3-pointer, and the Wildcats scored two more to settle the score even at 24-24 quickly. 

A nice pass set up a Taylor Johnson-Matthews (Cleveland, Ohio.; Charles F. Brush) layup, but the Wildcats fell behind 36-29. They continued to trail 40-31 at the half.

SECOND HALF
The Wildcat defense shined in the second half. Multiple steals and a few forced turnovers allowed them to climb back into the game. The perimeter remained open, and the Wildcats began to stretch the court. 

Pearl River's momentum forced a timeout when they pulled ahead 47-44 after the fourth unanswered layup. Riley stopped all hope for the Chargers as she nailed a 3-pointer, making it 50-46. 

The Wildcats exploited the inside with a few layups and free throws before an accurate cross-court heave met Samya Brooks (Pontotoc) for another layup, 56-49. 

Johnson-Matthews hit a three to make it 59-51. Pearl River finished the third quarter, scoring 30 total points and setting the score at 61-51.

The final quarter began defensively before Young added two to make it 63-51. Columbia State responded with two of their own before Young added three more to set the score at 69-53. Johnson-Matthews converted two from the free throw line, and Pearl River began to run away with it. 

The Wildcats continued to pressure inside the paint, often going untouched to the rim. Riley capped off a great display with the Wildcats' final two points coming out of her hands on a layup. Columbia State got the final basket of the game to total the score at 81-63.  

LEADING THE WAY
In her first game as a Wildcat, Young led Pearl River with 21 points.

"I can tell you we're definitely glad she's in maroon and gold," Fletcher said.

Mikayla Riley finished the night second with 18 points, and Taylor Johnson-Matthews added 17.

"Coaches call plays, players make plays," Fletcher said. Tonight, Avery Young, Mikayla Riley and Taylor Johnson-Matthews were the difference in the game."

NEXT UP
The Wildcats return to action at home next Friday for the Pearl River Classic against Enterprise State. Tipoff inside Marvin R. White Coliseum is set for 6 p.m.

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. 

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

PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY JAXON DUNAWAY.