NEW ORLEANS, La. — Four Wildcats scored in double figures as Pearl River closed out non-conference play with an 86–75 victory over Delgado.

"Delgado was really good," Head Coach Chris Oney said. "We knew that coming in, but I thought our guys competed. I still don't think we put it all together on both ends of the floor, but I thought they competed for 40 minutes."

Oney talked about how important a win like this was.

"It's always good to win heading into conference play, especially when you get a quality win," Oney said. "That wasn't an easy game. That felt like a conference game, and it gave our guys a chance to experience what these next 14 games are going to be like."

Pearl River (8-7 overall) got on the board first with a Kamarian Mayfield (Waynesboro; Quitman) layup to take an early 2–0 lead. The Wildcats maintained the advantage through the opening minutes before Delgado (6-10) grabbed its first lead with 14:33 left in the half. Daijon Leatherman (Slidell, La.; Legacy School of Sport and Sciences) quickly answered, knocking down two free throws a minute later to put Pearl River back in front, 14–13.

The two teams traded baskets until Delgado built a five-point cushion with 9:12 remaining. The Wildcats responded once again, as Christian Gilliland (Memphis, Tenn.; ABC Prep) hit a bucket to reclaim a 32–31 lead four minutes before halftime. Despite Mayfield's 12 first-half points, Delgado held a slim 42–39 advantage at the break.

Pearl River came out strong in the second half, opening on a 9–3 run to jump ahead 48–45. The game remained tight until Delgado connected on a three-pointer to take a 56–52 lead. The Dolphins held the advantage until Leatherman tied the game at 61–61 with a layup at the 11:51 mark.

Delgado briefly regained the lead at 69–68 with 6:06 remaining, but the Wildcats took control down the stretch. Over the final six minutes, Gilliland, Mayfield, and Leatherman combined to score 16 of Pearl River's next 18 points, with Lazarus Mason (Atlanta, Ga.; Grayson) adding a layup of his own. Strong defense sealed the win as the Wildcats pulled away for the 86–75 victory. 

LEADING THE WAY 

Gilliland led Pearl River with 24 points, just above his season average of 23.2. Mayfield followed with a season-high 20 points, adding six rebounds and three assists. Gilliland also contributed three assists and five rebounds.

Leatherman recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Mason chipped in 10 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Reece Garrison (Olive Branch) was a key facilitator, posting a season-high 10 assists to go along with five points and six rebounds.

"Reece was a warrior out there. I looked up one time, and we had to keep switching so we had him guarding post players and had him guarding wings. We had him at the top of the zone and at the bottom of the zone, so Reece was a warrior today. I thought this was his best game by far as a Wildcat."

NEXT UP 

The Wildcats return to Marvin R. White Coliseum to take on East Central on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

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