By Stan Caldwell

PRCC Sports Information

POPLARVILLE – A stirring comeback by Pearl River Community College went for naught Thursday night as Hinds handed the Wildcats their second consecutive defeat in men's South Division play at Utica.

The Bulldogs scored the winning basket with one second to play, handing PRCC an 84-82 defeat, after the Wildcats had rallied from a 20-point second-half deficit to tie the game.

Pearl River (15-4 overall) dropped into a tie for second place in the South Division with Mississippi Gulf Coast at 7-4 in division play. Hinds (8-10, 5-6) kept its postseason hopes alive with the win.

The Wildcats stayed close for the first 10 minutes of the game before the Bulldogs began to take control, with an 11-4 run. Hinds then outscored Pearl River 24-12 over the final 7:28 of the first half to take a 48-31 lead at halftime.

Hinds maintained its advantage through the early part of the second half, building its largest lead, 62-42, with 13:19 to play.

PRCC began to chip away at the lead, and a layup by freshman Kirk Parker (Vicksburg) with 1:23 to play tied the game at 80-80.

Hinds regained the lead with a pair of free throws, but freshman Cedric Brim Jr. (Tupelo) tied the game again with seven seconds to go. However, the Wildcats were unable to prevent a game-winning shot on the ensuing possession.

Freshman Eric Thornton Jr. (Jackson) led the Wildcats with 22 points and 7 rebounds. Sophomore Brandon Cranford (Louisville, Ky.) and Parker each had 11 points, and Parker also grabbed 10 rebounds.

Pearl River will be back at M.R. White Coliseum for its home finale Thursday against East Central. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and the game will be livestreamed on prccmedia.com.

PRCC BASKETBALL SUMMARY

MEN

Monday at Utica

Hinds 84, Pearl River 82

PRCC    31        51        –          82

HCC     48        36        –          84

PEARL RIVER (15-4, 7-4 in South): Jonas James III 10, Cedric Brim Jr. 9, Rodney Mallett 3, Eric Thornton Jr. 22 (7 rebounds), Brandon Cranford 11, Cameron Douglas 9 (7 rebounds), Ray Anderson 2, Brandon Kimble 3, Kirk Parker 11 (10 rebounds), Jartavius Dobbs 2.

HINDS (8-10, 5-6 in South): Anthony Johnson 13, Enriques Milton 19, Nakia Rivers 3, Johnnie Edwards 5, Jason Smith 19, Larry Griffin 2, Parker Prater 20, Ivan Rodriguez 1.