SCOOBA, Miss. — Effort was abundant as the No. 11 Pearl River women's basketball team was victorious against East Mississippi, 71-45. The game began back-and-forth, but Pearl River took advantage of the Lions once the second half started.
"We came to life in the second half," head coach Scotty Fletcher said. "It is difficult to win on the road as you get everyone's best. We didn't guard the way we were capable of to begin the night. We got out into the open court and started attacking the paint instead of settling for jump shots, and that was the difference."
FIRST HALF
The first half was action-packed as the Wildcats (22-3 Overall; 9-1 MACCC) went head-to-head against the East Mississippi Lions (4-20; 1-10). The lead was exchanged numerous times as the Lions came out aggressive. But PRCC held firm, leading at the half.
The Lions started the night with a 6-0 run before Pearl River answered right back with a 5-0 run. Kamren Edwards (Jackson; Murrah) scored the first points for the Wildcats, and they came off a smooth 3-pointer from the left side of the arc. Avery Young (Iota La.) was on the assist. Edwards then cashed in on two free throws, 9-7, EMCC.
Taylor-Johnson Matthews (Cleveland, Ohio.; Charles F. Brush) then dropped her one-on-one opponent to the floor before stepping to the right and dropping in a long jumper to tie the score.
Alexis Arrington (Terry) sped inside for an acrobatic euro step to bank the basketball off the backboard and in. Young followed that up by driving inside and converting a layup off contact, 13-13. The Wildcats held a narrow lead at the end of one, 17-15.
EMCC grabbed its last lead, 21-20, in the second quarter before the Wildcats began a 16-point run that expanded into the second half.
Arrington gave PRCC the lead as she landed a 3-pointer from the corner. Johnson-Matthews had the assist. Then, Johnson-Matthews bounced off a defender as she stepped back and shot a jumper. This gave the Wildcats a double-digit lead, 31-21.
For the final points of the first half, Young practically handed the ball to Johnson-Matthews, who hit a deep jumper just in front of the 3-point line. The half ended 33-21, Pearl River.
SECOND HALF
After a free throw to open up, Young brought the basketball from the top of the court, around and underneath for a layup, 36-23. After a Hama'ya Fielder (Philadelphia; Neshoba Central) layup, Young repeated her exact movement around the court for another basket.
Fielder ran past the defenders and stole a rebound before throwing up a layup. This set the lead at 20 points, 47-27. Brooklyn Anderson (Greeneville, Tenn.; North Greene) followed up with a similar play as she picked up a competitive rebound and dribbled around defenders, finding a basket, 49-27 Wildcats.
EMCC made one last effort to get close to PRCC 53-39. Young closed out the quarter with an excellent driving layup from the left side, 55-39. Through contact, Arrington got a layup to roll around the rim and fall in, 57-42.
Samya Brooks (Pontotoc) converted two straight buckets inside. The second came off of hard contact as she handled the pressure and landed a basket despite a foul. This gave the Wildcats a 20-point lead, 63-43.
Two minutes remained as Pearl River wasted time off the clock with each possession.
Brooks landed another basket inside before Johnson-Matthews ended a fastbreak with an open layup.
Young was back in the action, diming a one-handed bounce pass to Arrington, who dished a long jumper into the basket from the right corner, 69-43. This capped off a 12-point run to secure the game.
The game went final, with Pearl River winning 71-45.
LEADING THE WAY
Arrington provided for the Wildcats as she totaled 19 points. She had three 3-pointers and was 4-for-6 from the free-throw line.
"She was the MVP of the game. She was phenomenal in her offense and defense," Fletcher said. "She clicked on all cylinders."
Johnson-Matthews scored 13 points. Ten of those came in the first half.
Brooks recorded 11 points. All of which were in the second half, as she was dominant inside.
"I thought Sam was phenomenal. Our post players did much better attacking the paint and getting quality shots," Fletcher said.
NEXT UP
Pearl River returns to Marvin R. White Coliseum on Monday for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff 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.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).
PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY PEARL RIVER ATHLETICS INTERN JAXON DUNAWAY