Published: November 09, 2009 11:09 pm      

Devils squeeze by Purvis

By CURTIS ROCKWELL

Item Sports Editor

CARRIERE — Pearl River Central got its first win of the season in exciting fashion Monday night.

The homestanding Blue Devils squeezed by Purvis 61-59 in the opening game of the PRC Tip-Off Tournament.

The win makes the Blue Devils 1-1 on the young season, after they dropped a two point decision on the road to Ocean Springs Saturday night.

"We finally fought hard for four quarters," PRC second year head coach Austin Alexander said.

PRC's Jordan Fairconetue hit a driving lay up with one minute to play to break a 52-52 tie, and Garrett Foulon followed with a short jumper to make it 56-52 PRC.

Andre Broadwater made a few key free throws in the fianl seconds for the Blue Devils, and they survived when the Tornadoes missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Blue Devils led by as much as eight, at 30-22, late in the first half. But after PRC took a 30-24 lead at halftime, Purvis stormed back and outscored the home team 18-7 in the third frame to take a 42-37 lead entering the final period.

But Faulon hit a pair of big 3-pointer's in the fourth period, helping put PRC in place for the final rally.

"He gave us a big lift late in the game," Alexander said. "It wasn't a pretty win, but the uglier the better for us. Because of the match-ups we'll face, we won't get many pretty wins."

Broadwater had 15 to pace PRC, while Foulon added 13 and both Dennan Seal and Fairconetue each chipped in eight points to the winning cause.

Alton Curtis scored a game high 16 for the Tornadoes.

PRC is back on the court tonight, facing St. Stanislaus at 7:30.

The final two games of the opening day, both involving Picayune teams, were delayed to Wednesday because of potential inclement weather.

Now, today's games will feature Poplarville's boys against St. Martin at 4:30 and the Bay High and Purvis girls at 5:30 before the PRC-SSC game.

Then on Wednesday, the Picayune girls will play Moss Point at 4:30 and the Picayune boys will meet SSC at 6 p.m.