PERKINSTON — Tuesday's rivalry meeting at Gulf Coast's Weathers/Wentzell Center featured a clash of two styles, the defensive Bulldogs and No. 14 Pearl River with its wide-open attack.
At least Tuesday, the undefeated Wildcats disproved the old adage that defense wins by breaking the host's resistance to the tune of a 73-63 victory.
With the win, PRCC (14-0 overall, 5-0 MACJC) remains the only undefeated Division I program.
Gulf Coast (12-2, 4-1) entered the rivalry game with the nation's top scoring defense, holding opponents to 59.6 points per game. The Wildcats blew through the average mid-way through the second half — which was important to head coach Chris Oney.
"We got it figured out," PRCC coach Chris Oney said. "We have this deal on the road where the first team to 60 wins. Early on we can't get frustrated if the score is 20-8 or 20-0. When we look up there and see we still have a chance to beat them to 60 we just have to figure it out. I thought tonight we hung in there and shuffled some lineups to figure out who was going to help us get into that groove.
"In the end, we beat them to 60."
EARLY WOES
Gulf Coast played tough defensively early on, collapsing anytime Pearl River ventured into the post. The Wildcats forced MGCCC into early foul trouble, however, and with the Bulldogs handcuffed, Pearl River was allowed to get out and take the attack to its rival.
"I don't think we came ready for the fight. We got ready once we got into it — we found out pretty fast — but we didn't waver," Oney said, highlighting the fact that on any given night a new Wildcat steps up to lead the charge. "It makes it difficult for the other team to recognize what they're in for. It was obvious to see they were going to keep us out of the paint. It was obvious to see early.
"L.G. (LaGarious White) came in and was sharp, Kelvin Allen came in and made some shots and once we were able to get C.J. (Brim) going and get a good lineup out there in the second half we were able to overcome them."
OFF AND RUNNING
Pearl River scored the game's first five points but soon found itself in an 11-8 hole that stretched to 20-8. The Wildcats began chipping away at Gulf Coast's advantage and actually regained the lead with less than a second remaining when a Bulldog was called for goaltending on a Jonas James III (Jackson; Murrah) layup.
Cedric Brim Jr. (Tupelo; Shannon) opened the second half with two free throws to push PRCC ahead 31-28. The Bulldogs attempted to make a late run, pulling within eight points at 68-60, but the Wildcats reeled off five unanswered to extinguish any hope of an upset by the home team.
Kelvin Allen (Olive Branch) played a key role in PRCC's second half success, scoring 9 of his 14 points in the final 20 minutes.
"I'm just so proud of Kelvin Allen. I really am," Oney said. "To be in these circumstances, on this kind of team and in this kind of game where every possession matters, he didn't play like a freshman; he played like a sophomore."
Brim led PRCC with 21 points. LSU transfer Brandon Rachal (Natchitoches, La; Natchitoches Central) scored 11 points, while James added 10. Chris Agbo (Jos, Nigeria) was just behind the leaders with eight points.
RIVALRY WIN
Tuesday's win got chippy at times, with officials calling a technical on a Bulldog after he entered PRCC's huddle following the halftime buzzer, and wasn't always the prettiest brand of basketball. But Oney knows all too well that any rivalry win in the MACJC is a good one — regardless of how the game unfolds.
"We can talk about all the analytics all we want to but in the end it's Gulf Coast-Pearl River," he said. "No matter what's at stake it's going to be a war."
NEXT UP
Pearl River has a quick turnaround, hosting Southwest on Thursday at Marvin R. White Coliseum at 7:30 p.m.
Pearl River women weather storm, surge late at rival Gulf Coast
Pearl River's women faced a tall challenge at rival Gulf Coast on Tuesday. Instead of withering under the pressure, Coach Scotty Fletcher's Lady Wildcats put their we-not-me attitude to work and toppled the Lady Bulldogs 72-65.
"We grew up tonight," Fletcher said. "I thought our defensive effort and discipline was key to our success tonight."
PRCC (10-4 overall, 3-2 MACJC) opened the game with a 9-5 advantage, but Gulf Coast (7-5, 3-2) soon built a commanding 25-12 advantage that bridged the two quarters.
Each team proceeded to make runs, but the Lady Wildcats methodically chipped away at the deficit.
Gulf Coast held a 37-30 advantage at the midway point and pushed its lead to 42-32 to open the second half. Then commenced the comeback. Where PRCC failed to make baskets in the first half, the Lady Wildcats caught fire — particularly from behind the 3-point arc.
The tipping point was an and-one dagger on a Mychala "Pooh" Linzy (Clinton) long-range make, which put PRCC back ahead 52-51 for the first time in a long time.
"To me that's the sign of a good basketball team when you get down like that on the road in this environment," Fletcher said. "Three things that separate us right now: We won't quit, we're all believing in the same thing and we have some toughness about us.
"Tonight that showed."
Pearl River may have caved under similar pressure earlier in the season and relinquished the lead. Tuesday, the Lady Wildcats used Linzy's four-point play to jumpstart a 13-0 run and PRCC never looked back.
"These girls have been putting up shots and buying in," Fletcher said. "They've been in the gym and consistent with their effort. We've seen a different level of commitment since we came back from Christmas and that's why the ball is going in."
SCORING IN BUNCHES
The Lady Wildcats converted 34 percent of their 3-pointers, with Linzy and Jakia Harper (Jackson; Provine) each nailing four. The aforementioned sharp shooters also led PRCC with 15 points apiece. Gabby Brown (Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; Choctaw) and Elexis Peyton (Jackson; Provine) added 11 and 10 points apiece. Alanna Smith (Picayune) wasn't far off the pace with nine points.
Fletcher was particularly proud of Linzy's performance as the freshman guard has transformed into one of the team's go-to scorers.
"I get to the office this morning at 7:30 and usually (men's player) Cedric Brim (Jr.) is in there. I look up, and it's Pooh," Fletcher said. "She was in there Saturday. She was in there yesterday. She has really grown up and bought in."
DIGGING DEEP
The scorers weren't the only leaders Tuesday for PRCC. The Lady Wildcats worked for 12 offensive boards and 26 overall. Brown had a team-best seven overall; Peyton pulled in five offensive boards and Dywana Parker (Gulfport) added six.
"How about Dywana with her six rebounds? Those were huge," Fletcher said. "All those little things in a game like this makes the big things."
Meah Monroe (Reserve, La.; East St. John) only had two rebounds, but Fletcher was proud of how she helped to infiltrate Gulf Coast's post presence.
"Meah takes every matchup every night so personal,: Fletcher said. "It really matters to that kid. I love her. She brings her lunchbox to work every single day and she's relentless on the boards."
NEXT UP
Pearl River has a quick turnaround, hosting Southwest on Thursday at Marvin R. White Coliseum at 5:30 p.m.
