POPLARVILLE – It was, quite literally, a perfect storm for Pearl River Thursday night at Marvin R. White Coliseum in the annual "Cat Fight."

No. 14 Jones had its second-worst shooting performance of the season, was hit with early foul trouble on all three bigs and couldn't overcome the unpleasant PRCC home crowd in a 72-60 loss.

Pearl River improved to 17-3, 10-1 in the MACCC, to take over sole possession of first place. Jones fell to 14-4, 9-1, suffering its first conference loss in 23 tries.

Jones jumped out to an early 12-3 lead on a pair of three-pointers from Olivia Knight and Jordan Clark and an and-one from Mackenzie Thomas. Arianna Patton's jumper with 16 seconds left in the quarter gave the Bobcats an 18-9 lead after one.

Jones led 27-22 at the half.

Pearl River scored the first eight points out of intermission and never looked back in the second half. Back-to-back three-pointers from Otashae Burrage and Keshunti Nichols gave PRCC its first lead, 30-27.

Anessa Dussette burried another Wildcat three-pointer to give the hosts a 51-41 lead after three quarters.

Jones would get no closer than seven points the final 10 minutes as they shot a dismal 3-for-19 from three-point range while the Wildcats shot 55 percent from the floor.

The Wildcats were whistled for just 10 fouls all night compared to 19 for Jones and shot 13 more free throws.

Meloney Thames led three Bobcats in double figures with 15 points, followed by 14 from Knight and 12 from Clark. One of the league's top players, Sakyia White, was held to just six points and six rebounds.

Tristen Washington and Keshunti Nichols had 15 apiece for PRCC.

Jones returns home on Monday to host Coahoma at 6 p.m.