By Stan Caldwell
PRCC Sports Information
POPLARVILLE – If it is true that defense wins championships, then Pearl River Community College was in championship form down the stretch Saturday afternoon against Jones County.
The Wildcats made a one-point lead stand up for the final 1:27 of the game, and got out of Ellisville with a 74-73 triumph in the first Cat Fight of the season.
PRCC improved to 11-1 overall and 3-1 in the South Division; JCJC dropped to 7-6 and 2-2.
After a see-saw first half that finished with PRCC leading 41-37, the Wildcats opened up a 14-point lead early in the second half, and maintained control for much of the half.
However, the Bobcats went on a 12-0 run and took a 71-70 lead with 3:23 remaining in regulation.
Pearl River quickly regained the lead on a pair of free throws by freshman Eric Thornton Jr. (Jackson), and Thornton grabbed a big defensive rebound on Jones' ensuing possession.
After working the shot clock down to the final second, Thornton missed a short jump shot, but freshman Kirk Parker (Vicksburg) got the rebound and scored on a putback layup to make the score 74-71 with 2:34 to play.
After each team missed on the following possession, JCJC got a basket to cut the margin to one with 1:27 to go.
The Wildcats missed two chances to extend the lead, but sophomore Ray Anderson (New Orleans) capped a stiff defensive stand with a rebound on Jones' first opportunity, and freshman Jonas James III (Jackson) got a steal with 9.9 seconds to play after another Wildcat miss.
With 4.2 seconds to play, James missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw opportunity, but once again the Wildcats stood tall on defense, forcing a bad shot at the buzzer that caromed off the rim and fell away.
Thornton led Pearl River with 21 points and 9 rebounds, freshman Cedric Brim Jr. (Tupelo) added 19 points, and Parker finished with 13 points and 9 rebounds.
PRCC will travel to Decatur Monday night to face East Central in another South Division contest. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats will return home to play Mississippi Gulf Coast on Thursday.
PRCC BASKETBALL SUMMARY
MEN
Saturday at Ellisville
Pearl River 74, Jones County 73
PRCC 41 33 – 74
JCJC 37 36 – 73
PEARL RIVER (11-1, 3-1 in South): Jonas James III 7, Cedric Brim Jr. 19, Eric Thornton Jr. 21 (9 rebounds), Brandon Cranford 5, Cameron Douglas 5, Jerrod Rigby 2, Ray Anderson 2, Kirk Parker 13 (9 rebounds).
JONES COUNTY (7-6, 2-2 in South): David McCoy 13, Shemar Johnson 7, Winceton Edwards 13, David Gaines 10 (8 rebounds), Mason Daniels 11, Malik Henry 19.