POPLARVILLE – Jariyon Wilkens hit a 3-pointer from the right corner with one second to play to give No. 4 Pearl River a 64-61 victory over Jones College here Thursday night at Marvin R. White Coliseum.
 
The Bobcats had the ball with a chance to win with the game at 61-61. But Jones turned the ball over with 14 seconds showing to set up PRCC's game-winning shot.
 
Jones led 59-57 and had the ball with over two minutes to play, but could not convert.
 
PRCC led 31-23 late in the first half, but the Bobcats battled back and cut the margin to 33-30 at halftime.
 
The Wildcats were up 48-39 with just over 12 minutes remaining. But a Korey Jones (Allen, Texas) basket capped a 9-0 run and tied the game at 48-48 with 9:32 to play.
 
Jones would eventually take the lead on a 3-point by Cowandric Samuel (Jackson Callaway) to make it 58-55 with 3:55 to play.
 
Tradavis Thompson (Raymond) had 17 points to lead the Bobcats. Jude Akabueze (Lagos, Nigeria) had 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. Thompson and Samuel each had five rebounds and three assists.
 
Earl Smith led Pearl River with 13 points. Cameron Brown had 12, Wilkens had 11 and Ankerion Gross added 10.
 
Jones was 26-of-63 from the floor (4-of-15 from 3-point range) for 41 percent. The Bobcats were only 5-of-12 from the free throw line for 42 percent.
 
PRCC was 25-of-65 from the field (6-of-18 from 3-point range) for 39 percent. The Wildcats were 8-of-14 from the free throw line for 57 percent.
 
The Bobcats outrebounded Pearl River, 44-36. Each team turned the ball over 22 times.
 
Jones, 0-2, hosts East Central at 6 p.m. Monday. The game will air on JCJC.TV.
 
Pearl River, 2-0, visits Meridian on Monday.