POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Pearl River men's basketball pushed No. 5 Jones College to the brink Thursday night inside Marvin R. White Coliseum, but the Bobcats took home a 73-67 victory.
The Wildcats recovered from an incredible 19-point deficit to get within striking distance in the contest.
"They (Jones College) have won a lot of games together," head coach Chris Oney said. "They knew how to settle down and make a play. We didn't do that. We will learn from it and know how to do it next time. My guys played hard and came to play. They could've quit, but they didn't."
After Pearl River (21-5 overall; 10-2 MACCC) took an early advantage against Jones College (24-3; 10-1), the Bobcats recovered to storm back and move in front 11-10. The Wildcats remained within a basket or two for much of the first half, with Kedrick Osby (Moss Point) doing his best to keep PRCC in the contest.
Jones went on a solid run in the dying minutes of the first half and eventually headed to the midway point ahead 37-28.
The Bobcats continued to pour it on when the second half began and worked out a 59-40 lead. The 19-point lead was theirlargest of the night. PRCC didn't go quietly, swinging things with an impressive 15-0 run to get within four points at 59-55. During the stretch, Osby cashed in second-chance points, Joah Chappelle (Atlanta, Ga.; Dutchtown) swatted away a shot attempt and went the length of the court for a basket and Krystian Lewis (Monroe, La.; Wossman) scored five massive points.
PRCC got as close as it could get with 5:03 remaining in the contest as on three consecutive possessions, the Wildcats scored. Lewis nailed a 3-pointer from the left wing before Chappelle knocked down a contact basket. Osby tacked on a long jumper, and the score sat at 63-62.
Pearl River remained just a few baskets out but couldn't get the big shot it needed, falling 73-67.
BY THE NUMBERS
Chappelle finished with a game-highs in both points (21) and rebounds (9). He also tacked on three blocks.
Osby tallied 18 points and four rebounds. Krystian Lewis had a solid showing. The guard finished with 15 points, six assists and four rebounds.
Mason Lewis (Stockbridge, Ga.; Woodland) finished with eight points and nine rebounds.
NEXT UP
The Wildcats go on the road for the final time Monday for a 7:30 p.m. game against Mississippi Delta.
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