BAY MINETTE, Ala. — The Pearl River men's basketball team got off to a hot start Friday afternoon and never looked back against Coastal Alabama - South, earning a 79-58 victory on the first day of the Alabama/Mississippi Challenge.
"We were ready to play, which is always a surprise before Christmas break," head coach Chris Oney said. "Their focus and attention to detail, when we started the game, was the best I've ever seen in a game at this time of the year."
Despite the big first-half deficit, Coastal Alabama - South gave the Wildcats a bit of trouble early in the second half.
"Coastal Alabama – South doesn't quit playing. That's what we talked about at the half," Oney said. "They came out in the second half and gave us their best shot. Luckily, my guys locked back in defensively, made shots down the stretch and we pulled it out."
Pearl River (10-2 overall) scored the first eight points of the contest — capped off by a Dylan Sanders (Aurora, Colo.) 3-pointer from a Mason Lewis (Stockbridge, Ga.; Woodland) assist.
Coastal Alabama – South picked up its first basket of the contest with 16:58 remaining in the first before PRCC rattled off eight more points. Jayden Sampson (Cleveland; Cleveland Central) grabbed a miss and went back up for the first basket of the swing before Joah Chappelle (Atlanta, Ga.; Dutchtown) added a pair of scores, and Kedrick Osby (Moss Point) scored in the paint.
Pearl River eventually had an 18-point, 22-4 lead with 10:23 left in the opening frame. The lead then grew to what was the largest of the night for the Wildcats at 23 points following back-to-back Sampson baskets, 32-9.
Coastal Alabama – South tried to climb back into things, but Pearl River did enough to head into halftime up by double-digits, 42-23.
The Wildcats hit a lull when the second half began, and the Coyotes trimmed a 19-point deficit down to 11 points at the 12:12 mark, 54-43. Pearl River didn't let it get any closer, picking up four quick points from Sanders to move ahead 58-43.
Nine big points off the sweet-shooting motion of Krystian Lewis (Monroe, La.; Wossman) helped Pearl River maintain all momentum down the stretch as the Wildcats walked away with a 79-58 victory.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Pearl River placed five players in double figures, led by Chappelle, Osby and Krystian Lewis, who each had 18.
"Those guys know their role for their team," Oney said. "We kind of go if they go."
Sanders narrowly trailed with 15 points, and Sampson rounded things out with 10.
"Dylan hit some key baskets to help us out," Oney said. "We got some really good minutes from Jayden."
Sanders and Osby each hauled in 11 rebounds to finish the night with a double-double. Sanders also had five steals in the contest. Krystian Lewis and Mason Lewis had four assists apiece.
NEXT UP
The Wildcats compete for the final time in 2024 tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. against Bishop State. There will not be a livestream for the contest.
"We are both teams that like to get after it defensively. We exert a lot of energy," Oney said. "It's going to be a challenge for both of us. I think it is a challenge our team will be ready for."
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