Off a nine-day break, Pearl River women's basketball used four double-digit scores to defeat Itawamba 66-61, remaining unbeaten in MACCC play.
"They're a great team, well coached, and they have some of the best guards in the state," said head coach Shanae Govan-Williams. "I am just glad we gutted it out. I am just proud of our overall effort; this was a big team win."
Pearl River (12-4 Overall; 5-0 MACCC) jumped out to a quick start against Itawamba (13-7; 4-2), building a 6-0 lead behind another strong opening stretch from freshman Jahanna Wilson (Jackson; Callaway). Wilson scored four of the Wildcats' first six points, while Cy'Nara Robinson (McGehee, Ark.) added a fast-break layup.
After an Itawamba free throw, Robinson scored again to push the Wildcats' lead to 11-1. The Indians responded with a run of their own, scoring seven of the next nine points to cut the deficit to 13-8. Pearl River closed the first quarter on a 6-0 run, highlighted by two baskets from Atesa Johnson (Lewisville, Ark.; Lafayette) in 30 seconds and a pair of free throws from Ganae McAllister (Tupelo), taking a 19-8 lead into the second quarter.
Itawamba opened the second quarter by scoring the first four points to trim the lead to 19-12, but Wilson answered with a personal 4–0 run on a floater and a layup. Johnson followed by scoring four of Pearl River's next six points, with Wilson adding another basket, as the Wildcats carried a 29–21 advantage into halftime.
Both teams picked up the pace in the third quarter, combining for 37 points. Robinson opened the scoring with a layup to make it 31-21, and Pearl River added four more points at the free-throw line from Chauncey Dixon (Leroy, Ala.; McIntosh) and Jae'la Smith (Vicksburg; Porter's Chapel). The teams traded baskets for much of the quarter until McAllister's layup gave the Wildcats a 39-32 lead at the media timeout.
Itawamba continued to answer, scoring on a layup before Pearl River went on a 5-0 run to extend the lead to 44-34. The Indians closed the quarter with six points of their own, with Johnson scoring to break up the run, as Pearl River led 46-41 heading into the fourth.
The Wildcats opened the final quarter with a 6-2 run. Dixon was fouled on a layup, missed the free throw, but secured her own rebound among four Itawamba defenders and scored to push the lead to 52-43.
Itawamba answered with a 13-2 run to take a 56–54 lead. Pearl River responded immediately, tying the game on the next possession before forcing a turnover on defense. Madison Hughes (Olive Branch; Center Hill) capitalized with a 3-pointer to swing the momentum back to the Wildcats.
Johnson added a free throw, and Smith broke the full-court press for a key layup that sent the home crowd into a frenzy and gave Pearl River a 62-58 lead. Wilson followed with a jumper to extend the advantage to six, and the Wildcats sealed the game at the free-throw line, securing a 66-61 victory.
LEADING THE WAY
Robinson and Johnson were Pearl River's leading scorers, putting up 13 points each. Robinson added three rebounds and an assist to the stat sheet, with Johnson adding one rebound and three assists of her own.
Two more Wildcats scored in double figures in the five-point win. Wilson scored 12 with three assists and two rebounds, while Hughes put together a 10-point, three-rebound and one-assist performance of her own.
Dixon had one of her best games of the year in the center position. She brought in seven rebounds and scored six points, with four of them being game-changing layups in the final two minutes of the game.
NEXT UP
The Wildcats head back home to host Northeast Monday at 5:30 p.m.
TICKETS
Tickets are available at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets. Tickets purchased in advance are $9, while tickets purchased on game day are $11.
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.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).
