Indians hold on to beat #24 Pearl River

POPLARVILLE, Miss. – The Indians defeated No. 24 Pearl River Community College, 69-67, to pick up their second-straight win over a team ranked in the NJCAA Top 20.

Leading 38-26 at halftime, the Indians (13-1, 3-0 MACCC) opened the second half on an 8-2 run to take their largest lead of the night at 46-28. Pearl River (10-3, 2-1 MACCC) sparked a rally that saw the Wildcats make it a 66-65 game in favor of the Indians with 1:04 left to play.

Josh Lee (Canton) knocked down a pair of free throws, but Pearl River answered with a jumper to keep it a one-point contest with 20 seconds remaining. After an Indian turnover and a missed jumper by the Wildcats, George Marshall (Jackson) made one of two free throws to make it a two-point game with 7.9 seconds left.

Pearl River got a good look at a mid-ranger jumper but missed the game-tying shot before a rushed three was off the mark at the buzzer allowing the Indians to celebrate the 69-67 win.    

George Marshall scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Lee added 14 points and eight rebounds while Gemari Marshall came off the bench to score 12 points and five assists.

The win was the second-straight over a team ranked in the NJCAA's Top 20. The Indians beat #21 Northeast, 79-71, on Monday.


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