POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Pearl River women's basketball walked into Coahoma's home court and came back with a 69-50 win, giving head coach Shanae Govan-Williams her first win against her former school. 

"I was a little nervous coming back to where I started my college coaching career," Govan-Williams said. "They gave me a chance, so it will always be a special place, but I was glad that my kids could embrace this moment with me and step up and help us get the win."

The game started with Pearl River (15-5 overall; 8-1 MACCC) trailing after Coahoma (12-6; 3-5) went on a 9-0 run before Mattison Bell (Philadelphia; Choctaw Central) answered the call in her first game back from injury. With Bell on a two-month injury hiatus, she came out firing, scoring nine points on three 3-pointers, jumping Pearl River out to a 13-9 lead. 

From there, Atesa Johnson (Lewisville, Ark.; Lafayette) joined the 3-point barrage, adding onto a Wildcat layup. Cy'Nara Robinson (McGehee, Ark.) scored on a fast break, giving Pearl River a 22-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

In the second, Madison Hughes (Olive Branch; Center Hill) scored on a 3-point shot, giving Pearl River its first double-digit lead. Bell quickly answered with her fourth 3-pointer, bringing the score to 32-17. The Wildcats ended the half outscoring Coahoma 11-6, sending the two teams into the locker room with Pearl River leading 43-23. 

In the third, Pearl River kept the momentum going, scoring the first two points on a layup. With the Wildcats leading 45-23, they went on to score 13 more points, ending the third quarter up 21 at 58-37. 

In the fourth quarter, Jae'la Smith (Vicksburg; Porter's Chapel) scored the first Wildcat points on a jump shot, putting the Wildcats up 60-37. Pearl River ended the game leading 69-50, giving head coach Govan-Williams and assistant coach Quinton Pippen a win in their first game back at Coahoma.

LEADING THE WAY

Smith led the way against Coahoma, scoring 16 points while shooting 7-for-11 from the field. Bell was next for Pearl River, going 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. 

Robinson was a dominant force in the paint, earning her sixth double-double of the year with 12 points and a season-high 18 rebounds. 

NEXT UP 
The Wildcats will continue their road trip heading to Meridian Monday to take on the Eagles at 5:30. 

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