BAY MINETTE, Ala. — The Pearl River men's basketball team went punch for punch with Coastal Alabama Thursday night, but a late surge by the home-standing Coyotes propelled them to a 98-88 victory.

Pearl River (7-7 overall) trailed Coastal Alabama (5-10) early before free throws from Christian Gilliland (Memphis, Tenn.; ABC Prep) knotted the score at 15. Jayden Sampson (Cleveland; Cleveland Central) evened things up again soon after, breaking away for a two-handed slam to make it 17-17.

The Wildcats moved in front a while later, extending their lead as far as 33-24. Daijon Leatherman (Slidell, La.; Legacy School of Sports and Sciences) muscled his way underneath the basket for his fifth and sixth points of the night, while Gilliland converted an and-one opportunity and knocked down a layup to help Pearl River reach that mark.

Shortly after, a dish from Leatherman to Jason Talbert (Cleveland; Cleveland Central) resulted in a 3-pointer, and Kamarian Mayfield (Waynesboro; Quitman) laid the ball off the glass for a basket to make it 38-28.

The Coyotes caught fire late in the first half and roared all the way back to take a 46-44 advantage into the break. It took just two minutes into the second half for Pearl River to reclaim the lead, doing so when Sampson split a double team and knocked down a layup to make it 50-49.

The Wildcats pushed the margin to four at 56-52, but a red-hot shooting stretch combined with some Pearl River miscues allowed Coastal Alabama to retake the lead. Trailing by 11 with under 10 minutes to play, Sampson swatted a shot attempt that led to a Gilliland basket and free throw. Gilliland then scored three straight baskets to cut the deficit to two at 77-75.

Despite Pearl River's best efforts to remain in the contest, the Coyotes pulled away in the closing minutes to secure a 98-88 victory and avenge an early-season loss to the Wildcats.

NEXT UP
Pearl River continues its road trip Saturday, traveling to New Orleans for a 3 p.m. matchup against Delgado.

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