by TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Pearl River women’s basketball battled hard but fell to Shelton State 60-36 on Saturday after a slow start gave the Bucs an early lead.
“It was a tough road game. We knew that going in,” said Shanae Govan-Williams. “I’m grateful that we get to see them again on Jan. 5. We’ll be better then, but playing a team like this prepares us for a really tough conference.
“We just have to get ready for another nationally ranked team on Friday. We’ll get back to the drawing board, but I am just proud of our fight. We didn’t lay down. That’s something we talked about, and just being consistent in our effort.”
Pearl River (6-2) got off to a strong start as Jahanna Wilson (Jackson, Miss.; Callaway) scored the team’s first basket of the game. The Wildcats showed early energy, but Shelton State (8-2) went on a 15-0 run, fueled by three 3-pointers, to build an early lead.
Atesa Johnson (Lewisville, Ark.; Lafayette) ended the run and sparked a Wildcats’ surge, with Mattison Bell (Philadelphia; Choctaw Central) scoring five straight points during a 9-4 stretch. Cy’Nara Robinson (McGehee, Ark.) and Toniah Watts (Terry) added baskets late in the half, helping Pearl River stay in striking distance, though the Bucs led 28-15 at the break.
The Wildcats continued to battle in the second half. Wilson, Bell and Johnson all hit key layups, and Robinson scored a string of points in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 49-26 with just under six minutes left. Wilson, playing cautiously with three first-quarter fouls, sank two free throws to energize the team.
The Wildcats would ultimately fall to the Bucs, but despite the loss, Pearl River battled until the end with Bell hitting a late three before falling 60-36.
