ODESSA, Texas — The Pearl River men's basketball team closed out the Odessa Wrangler Shootout on Saturday afternoon with a 71-55 setback against New Mexico Military Institute.

Pearl River (5-4 overall) looked in control through the early stages, building a 10-4 advantage behind six quick points from Daijon Leatherman (Slidell, La.; Legacy School of Sports and Sciences) and four from Christian Gilliland (Memphis, Tenn.; ABC Prep).

The Wildcats pushed the margin to seven when Lazarus Mason (Atlanta, Ga.; Grayson) knocked down a jumper to make it 14-7. NMMI (5-5) responded with a run of its own, erasing the deficit and eventually taking an 18-14 lead.

PRCC pulled even twice before moving back in front at the 6:41 mark, when Kelan Rich (Pascagoula) buried a 3-pointer for a 25-24 edge. Rich struck again 40 seconds later with another shot from deep, extending the lead to 28-24. However, turnovers and a cold spell from the floor allowed the Broncos to surge ahead and carry a 36-32 advantage into the break.

The Wildcats struggled to find offense early in the second half, scoring just once in the first five minutes as the deficit grew to 48-35. PRCC settled in offensively down the stretch but couldn't climb back, ultimately falling 71-55.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Gilliland finished with 14 points, two assists and one rebound. Rich was the only other Wildcat in double figures, scoring 10 points to go along with three rebounds and an assist.

NEXT UP
Pearl River returns to action Dec. 1 when William Carey JV visits Marvin R. White Coliseum.