Pearl River’s Wildcats handed 10th-ranked Itawamba its first loss of the 2006-2007 hoops season here Monday with a 73-66 road win, while the Lady Wildcats fell 83-65 to wrap up their pre-Christmas holiday portion of their schedule.

PRCC’s men fell to the Indians 62-61 off a last-second foul shot Nov. 7 in Shivers Gymnasium, while its women took a hard-fought 68-65 victory in the two squads’ first match up. The Wildcats improved to 6-4 overall, while the Lady ’Cats dropped to 6-4. The Indians fell to 8-1, while the ICC ladies improved to 6-3.

In men’s action, Pearl River held on to a 36-35 edge at the intermission before outscoring Itawamba 37-31 in the second half to take the seven-point victory.

Wesley Jones of Beatrice, Ala., paced the Wildcats with a game-high 30 points plus nine rebounds, while Abram Robins of Forrest County AHS added 11

In the women’s game,            Calla Daggons of Mereaux, La., led PRCC with 12 points, while Lauren Morrow and Sherrion Thomas, both of Jackson, added 10 each.

After a Christmas holiday break, Pearl River returns to action Thursday, Jan. 4, with a road trip to Mississippi Delta in Moorhead; then returns home Monday, Jan. 8, against Copiah-Lincoln.