UTICA – The Hinds Community College Bulldogs and the No. 2 Pearl River Community College (PRCC) Wildcats squared off in a defensive battle Monday night (Feb. 11) in the newly renovated J.D. Boyd Gymnasium.
The first half was a back and forth affair. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and held the lead until PRCC went on an 8-0 scoring run to take a 17-11 lead. The Bulldogs fought their way back and took a 21-19 lead after
Kejuan Clements (Chicago, IL) hit a three-pointer to give Hinds a 21-19 lead. PRCC would then regained a 29-26 lead before Hinds freshman point guard,
Jordan Johnson (Memphis, TN), connected on a buzzer-beater lay-up to cut the deficit to just one point at the half.
Hinds held PRCC to just 29 points in the first half, which is the second-fewest points PRCC had scored in a half this season.
Trailing 29-28 at the half, the Bulldogs would never regain control of the lead in the second half despite their best efforts.
Halfway through the second half, PRCC was up 46-36 before Johnson connected on a three-pointer to cut the deficit to just seven points. That would be as close as the Bulldogs would get as PRCC went on to secure a 68-55 victory. With the win, PRCC captured the MACJC South Division Title.
"Last night was an epic defensive battle for both teams. We defended our tail off, but they made some next level shots at the end of the game to win it," said head coach
Yusef Fitzgerald. "All the credit to Pearl River, that is one of the best defensive teams we have seen all year," added Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald was also complimentary of his team's effort. "I am very proud of the effort we played with tonight. Our guys played fearlessly for forty minutes and that's all I can ask for," commented Fitzgerald.
The Bulldogs remain in playoff contention with three games remaining in the regular season as they are currently just one game back of Southwest Mississippi Community College for second place.
The Bulldogs have three regular season games remaining which include: Copiah-Lincoln (Feb. 13), East Central (Feb. 17), and Mississippi Gulf Coast (Feb. 21).
"Every game this time of year is crucial. Our sole focus is on our next opponent," said Fitzgerald.
The Bulldogs (11-7, 6-5) will square off against the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wolves (7-13, 2-9) this Thursday at home in Utica. Tip-off for the MACJC South Division matchup is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Hinds Top Performers vs. PRCC
Peyton Taylor: 15 points | 4 rebounds | 1 steal | 1 assist
Ladarius Marshall: 10 points | 11 rebounds | 7 blocks
Jordan Johnson: 9 points | 2 assists | 1 steal
Dontrell McQuarter: 8 points | 10 rebounds | 2 assists
