POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The Pearl River women's basketball team pushed No. 11 Shelton State to the bring in its first game back from winter break, but fell in the hard-fought contest 62-49.

"We started flat, and it took us some time to get stops," head coach Shanae Govan-Williams said. "I was proud of our effort in the second half. We've just got to put four quarters together. If we do that — I don't care who we play — I like our chances. Hopefully, we can get hot in conference play and see Shelton State again.

"I don't love the outcome tonight, but I do believe we fought until the end. We learned a lot in non-conference play this year."

After falling behind early against Shelton State (14-2), Pearl River (7-4) rattled off seven straight points to claim its first lead of the night, 8-7. The run featured a jumper from Toniah Watts (Terry), a Madison Hughes (Olive Branch; Center Hill) steal and coast-to-coast layup, and closed with a full-court pass from Atesa Johnson (Lewisville, Ark.; Lafayette) to Watts for another layup.

The Buccaneers responded by catching fire late in the opening quarter, taking a 22-8 advantage into the second. Pearl River trimmed the deficit to six points in the second quarter, using a 10-0 run to pull within four at 22-18. Jae'la Smith (Vicksburg; Porter's Chapel) knocked down a 3-pointer, Watts went 2-for-2 at the free-throw line, Robinson banked in a floater and Hughes buried a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer with a defender closing out. Shelton State answered with a 12-6 run to end the half and carried a 34-24 lead into the break.

The Wildcats mounted another comeback in the third quarter, pulling within two points with 4:19 remaining. Aubrey Hill (Tupelo; Biloxi) and Jahanna Wilson (Jackson; Callaway) connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the margin to 42-40. Shelton State pushed the lead back to six before Wilson delivered the highlight of the night, drilling a midcourt heave at the buzzer to send Pearl River into the fourth quarter trailing just 46-43.

Pearl River kept the game within reach midway through the final frame, but Shelton State continued to find the bottom of the net and pulled away late to secure a 62-49 victory.

LEADING THE WAY
Watts led the Wildcats with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting and added five rebounds. Hughes followed with 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks.

Smith finished with eight points and a season-high 13 rebounds while blocking two shots. Robinson contributed seven points and nine rebounds.

NEXT UP
The Wildcats open MACCC play Monday with a 5:30 p.m. matchup against East Central.

TICKETS
Tickets are available at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets. Tickets purchased in advance are $9 while tickets purchased on game day are $11.