Skip To Main Content

Southwest Mississippi Community College

Scoreboard

Chris Jones vs. Pearl River
Chuck Barnes

Men's Basketball Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information

Bears pick up huge 73-69 win over visiting Pearl River

The Southwest Bears picked up a much-needed MACJC South Division win in front of a packed house Thursday night as they knocked off always-tough Pearl River 73-69 in Summit. With the win, the Bears climbed to 7-6 overall and 1-3 in the South. Pearl River dropped to 9-3 overall and 2-2.
 
The Wildcats lived up to their reputation in the early going, taking a 15-8 lead with 13:32 left in the first half. The Bears battled back, however, to take a 25-23 lead on Deione Week's jumper with 7:59 to play. The visitors answered with a basket by Rakeem Esco to tie the game at 25-25 with 7:29 on the clock.
 
An offensive rebound and basket from Jamal Hester then put the Bears on a 19-9 run, capped by Corey Williams' jumper with 0:01 to play, to close out the first half and give them a 44-34 lead going into the intermission.
 
The Bears scored seven of the first nine points of the second half to extend their lead to 15 points, 51-36, with 16:35 left in the game. Slowly, but surely, the Wildcats battled back, tying the game at 64-64 on a pair of Kaven Bernard free throws with 4:29 to play.
 
Pearl River appeared to be on its way to a win as they then took a 69-66 lead with 2:41 remaining. But, the Bears would not be denied as a pair of Jaylen Moore buckets but them on top 70-69 with 1:18 to play. Free throws from Xavion Dillon, Twymond Howard and Williams helped seal the deal.
 
"This is a huge game for us," said Southwest head coach Casey Carter post-game. "With the bad luck we've had in (division) games before this, this was a do or die game for us and we had to act like that. We (Carter and assistant coach Thomas Gray) didn't want to put too much pressure on them (the team) so they'd come out tight, but we made it very (clear) to them that we had to come out and take care of business."
 
Carter gave credit to Pearl River for overcoming the 15-point deficit and taking a lead late in the game. But, "Give or guys credit, with momentum on their (Pearl River's side) to have the resiliency to pull it out."
 
Howard led the Bears to victory with 18 points and 10 rebounds, his seventh double double of the season. Also in double figures for the Bears were Chris Jones (16), Moore (13) and Weeks and Williams (both with 10). The Bears made good on 16 of 28 free throws.
 
Bernard led Pearl River with 14 points. The Wildcats made 19 of 22 free throws.
 
The Bears return to action Tuesday when they play host to Hinds Community College. Game time is set for 7:15.

Box Score----
/documents/2014/1/17/iTS_16-01-2014-3mpearl.pdf?id=298
Print Friendly Version