Basketball drops season finale to Pearl River

Meridian- Pear River Community College spoils Sophomore night for both teams. The Lady Eagles drop the first game of the night 55-49, and the Eagles fall 81-74.

Briaunna Thompson got the Lady Eagles going by scoring the first basket of the game and helping the Lady Eagles take a 4-0 lead in the first 3 minutes of the game. The Lady Wildcats regrouped quickly and ended the 1st quarter on a 22-6 run. Both teams would trade baskets in the 2nd quarter, and the Lady Wildcats took a 34-22 lead into halftime.

Both teams came out of the break sluggish, but the Lady Wildcats still managed to outscore the Lady Eagles 11-6 in the 3rd. Heading into the final quarter, the Lady Eagles trailed by 15, 45-30.
Four quick baskets by Meridian would let the Lady Wildcats know this game wasn't over. The Lady Eagles hit four 3-pointers in the final frame to cut the lead to 47-43 with 4:19 left to play. Leading the way for the Lady Eagles was Sidney Sims with a team-high 13 points. Sophomore's Jordan Bell had 8 points, and LaChrisha Williams had 7. The Lady Eagles run would be too little too late as Pearl River would hold on for the 6 point victory.

This was the final game for the Lady Eagles, who finished the season at 8-15, 5-9. The Lady Eagles will return a group of talented freshmen for next season, and the future is bright at Meridian.

The Eagles knew they had their work cut out for them with the number 2 team in the country rolling into town. The Pearl River Wildcats brought their 21-0 record into the Graham Gymnasium and found themselves in a dog fight.
The Eagles jumped out to a 13-3 lead in the first 8 minutes of the game. A timeout by the Wildcats would spark them as they went on a 12-0 run lead to claim their first lead at 15-13 with 9:36 left to play. Both teams would trade baskets over the next four minutes before the Wildcats ended the half on a 16-9 run. The Wildcats took a 41-32 lead into the break.

The Wildcats held on to that lead for 10 minutes in the second half before the Eagles made their final push. Justin Brown pulled up on a fast break and buried a 3 to cut the lead to 4, 63-59, with 8:33 left to play. Brown then hit another 3, of his game-high 23 points, with 4:49 to play to keep the Eagles within striking distance 68-65. Free throws down the stretch allowed the Wildcats to extend their lead and hold on for the 7 point victory. Rounding out the scoring for the Eagles was Daryyl Jordan with 15 points and Lorenzo Waddy with 13.

This was the final game for the Eagles who finished the season at 9-14, 4-10.