UTICA, Miss. — The No. 16 Pearl River women's basketball team set out to respond following a tough loss earlier in the week, and the Wildcats did just that. PRCC went on the road Saturday and crushed Hinds 73-48.

Hinds' 48 points were their fewest this season.

"How about them 'Cats? Defensively, we were so locked in with our rotations, our ball pressure and our activity," head coach Scotty Fletcher said. "It created some offensive opportunities, and we took advantage of them. We had more offensive discipline. When we watched the Itawamba film, that was what stuck out to us. We needed to be more disciplined that night.

"The girls responded the right way. I know what I have with this team. I know their makeup. I know their character. I know how hungry they are. They do everything right and everything we ask of them. All of that showed tonight. Everyone who stepped on the court impacted the game."

Pearl River (14-2 overall; 3-1 MACCC) opened the game at Hinds (12-8; 0-4) on a nice 8-2 run — which started with a Sydney Lewis (Upper Marlboro, Md.; McLean School) 10-foot jumper and a shot-clock beating 3-pointer from the hands of Mattison Bell (Philadelphia; Choctaw Central). 

The Bulldogs sliced the deficit down to three points at 13-10 before PRCC rattled off eight consecutive points to move back firmly in control. A pair of former Tupelo standouts went for back-to-back baskets to begin the run. Mikayla Riley (Tupelo) and Peyton Hearvey (Tupelo) each made their way to the rim for layups. 

Lewis showed off her athleticism for the next two Wildcat buckets. The first saw her ripped down an offensive rebound and scored despite being fouled. On the ensuing free-throw attempt, Lewis missed it but reacted quickly to get the rebound and lay it softly off the glass and in, 21-10. HCC picked up one more bucket before the quarter ended, 21-12.

It was a 13-0 run to open the second quarter for Pearl River. Riley scored the first five points of the run on a long jumper and an old-fashioned 3-point play. 

Lewis' takeover began after. The Mineral Area transfer was fed a dime down low for a basket, knocked down a free throw and hit another layup to make the score 31-12. Bell capped the run by draining a 3-pointer, 34-12.

Lewis got on the scoresheet again a while later, scoring to extend PRCC's lead to 42-16. She added in two more points before the half ended, cutting in from the outside on the inbound and scoring, 46-18.

Hinds outscored Pearl River 7-1 in the early portion of the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 47-25. Lewis then scored six rapid points to push Pearl River ahead 53-27. 

Ahead 56-33, Bell dashed into the paint and knocked down a layup through a foul. She knocked down the free throw and two additional ones following a Hinds technical foul. PRCC led 61-34 after the third quarter ended.

Pearl River was content to run down the clock in the fourth quarter, letting the shot clock get under 10 seconds before shooting on nearly every possession. Lewis continued her fine game a few possessions into the fourth quarter as she was given the ball at the top of the key, and she drove to the basket for a layup, 66-38.

PRCC received baskets from Sanyla Smith (Tupelo) and Thailan Payne (Southaven; Desoto Central) during the final stretch and secured a 73-48 victory.

LEADING THE WAY
Lewis finished with a career-high 22 points — her eighth game with double-digit points on the season.

"We called Sydney's number tonight, and she answered the call. We talked on the bus, and I explained that I wanted her to have the same mentality that she had in an earlier game this season against Gadsden State," Fletcher said. "Every time we went to her, she was ready. Sydney may be the most poised player I've ever coached. She doesn't get too high or too low. She understands the value of the next play."

Bell finished second with 15 points. It was the fifth time she has scored in double figures this season.

"Mattison is a phenomenal teammate. She cares about this team and does anything you ask her to do," Fletcher said. "Shewas ready for the challenge. She sent a message right after the Itawamba game that she would respond, and our team would respond. They did that tonight."

Riley was the final Wildcat in double figures with 11 points.

NEXT UP
The Wildcats head to Meridian on Monday for a 5:30 p.m. contest against the Eagles. The game will be livestreamed at MCCEagles.live.

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