NEW ORLEANS, La. – In their first action in twelve days, the Pearl River women's basketball team did not take long to shake off the rust in a 76-49 road victory in New Orleans, La., at Delgado on Saturday. 

"It was the first day back after double-digit days since we last played. Really proud of our team energy and effort overall," PRCC head coach Scotty Fletcher said. "Our point guard play was phenomenal. Paris was the player we knew she could be; she was phenomenal in every aspect of the game. Mattison was phenomenal, too. For those two to control the tempo and have 29 points between them, the coach's job is much easier. Our girls did a good job of sharing the basketball, we had a lot of assists today, 17 on 27 made baskets, another great stat."

 

Pearl River (9-0 overall) jumped out to a fast start over Delgado (0-10 overall) in the first quarter. The Wildcats opened the quarter on a 20-0 run, holding the Dolphins scoreless until the 3:22 mark. Pearl River led at the break, 22-2. Mattison Bell (Philadelphia, Miss.; Choctaw Central) and Paris Gilmore (Youngstown, Ohio; Warrensville Heights) led the charge in the run, contributing six points a piece. Six Wildcats scored in the first half.

Bell paced the Wildcats again in the second quarter, scoring six points. After a back-and-forth period, Pearl River entered the half with a 39-17 lead. Sydney Lewis (Upper Marlboro, Md.; McLean School) had seven first-half rebounds for The River. 

After the back-and-forth second quarter, Pearl River found its footing again in the third period. Behind six point efforts of Jazzmine Jackson (Jacksonville, Fla.; Andrew Jackson) and Lewis, the Wildcats extended the lead to 31 points heading into the fourth quarter, 60-29.

Jae'la Smith (Vicksburg; Porter's Chapel) led The River in the fourth quarter with seven points, and five Wildcats contributed nine. The Wildcats closed out the game with a 76-49 victory. 

 

Lewis recorded a double-double for the Wildcats with 12 points and 11 rebounds. 

"Syd, another double-double, does a good job controlling the glass," Fletcher said. "Syd is an everyday person; she is like a Rolex. She will always tell you the time, and you can always count on it."

Bell led all scorers with 15 points, and Gilmore followed with 14 points. Smith added 10 points, with seven coming in the final quarter. 

"Jae'la Smith is continuing to grow; her activity level is great," Fletcher said. "She is a very talented basketball player; she is going to continue to get better and better."

 

The Wildcats travel to Monroeville, Ala., to face Coastal Alabama – North on Tuesday. Tipoff is 5 p.m. 

 

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