POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The No. 17 Pearl River women's basketball team was menacing on defense Thursday night, and the effort helped the Wildcats run away with things against East Central, 62-36

ECCC's 36 points were the least it had scored in a game since December 10, 2022, when it scored 35.

"Our defensive rotations were really good, and our activity created turnovers," head coach Scotty Fletcher said. "Defense will be our DNA as long as I am fortunate to coach here. That's about effort and toughness. When you're good on defense, you have a large margin of error in other areas."

Pearl River (13-1 overall; 2-0 MACCC) roared out to a 9-0 advantage against East Central (4-8; 0-2) to open the night, receiving five points from Jazmine Jackson (Jacksonville, Fla.; Andrew Jackson) and four from Roge'Ne' Hillard (Hazlehurst; Copiah Academy).

PRCC went up by 11 points at 14-3 with 2:27 remaining as Natasha Barnes (Chicago, Ill.; Kenwood Academy) drained her first 3-pointer of the night. Before the quarter ended, Mikayla Riley (Tupelo) was fouled on a shot from beyond the arc, stepped to the charity stripe and drained all three free throws, 17-5.

Barnes helped the Wildcats extend their lead to 25-9 with just under five minutes remaining in the first half, converting an old-fashioned 3-point play and drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the arc.

A Riley layup and a Paris Gilmore (Youngstown, Ohio; Warrensville Heights) 3-pointer pushed the Wildcats ahead 30-9. When halftime rolled around, the Wildcats were ahead by 25 points, 36-11.

Back-to-back solid plays from Sydney Lewis (Upper Marlboro, Md.; McLean School) pushed Pearl River ahead 45-14 with 6:43 left in the frame. The first saw her rip down her own miss for an offensive rebound and score. The second saw an acrobatic layup, pushing between two defenders and throwing it up from down under and into the basket. She was fouled on the play and hit the ensuing free throw.

PRCC led by 28 points at the end of three quarters, 53-25.

The teams were nearly dead even in the fourth quarter, repeatedly matching each other's baskets. PRCC went ahead 57-29 midway through the fourth quarter as Gilmore nailed a 3-pointer.

PRCC had one final highlight play in the fourth, with Sanyla Smith (Tupelo) plucking the ball away and dishing it deep down the court to Mattison Bell (Philadelphia; Choctaw Central) for an easy layup. The Wildcats walked away with a 62-36 victory.

LEADING THE WAY
Jackson finished with a game-high 18 points — her ninth double-digit scoring game of the season. Barnes finished with 12 points, knocking down a trio of 3-pointers. 

Lewis had 10 rebounds in the contest and added six points. Hillard had eight boards and six points.

"Syd and Roge'Ne' continue to be high-level players," Fletcher said. "I love playing both of them. They pursue the ball. They've been phenomenal and are so fun to coach."

Bell and Gilmore tied for the team lead with four assists apiece.

NEXT UP
Pearl River returns to the court Tuesday at Hinds. Tipoff in Utica is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The game will be livestreamed at HindsCCSports.net.

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