PERKINSTON — Visiting Pearl River Community College pulled off a pair of big South Division wins here Thursday night.

PRCC swept arch-rival Mississippi Gulf Coast here Thursday in MACJC South Division basketball action with the Lady Wildcats taking a 71-63 win, while the Wildcats avenged an earlier loss to the host Bulldogs with a 76-65 victory.

PRCC’s women improved to 13-3 overall and 8-2 in division play, while its men are now 13-5 and 6-4. MGCCC’s women dropped to 7-12 and 3-5, while its men are now 14-5 and 7-3.

In the women’s game, The River held on to a narrow 35-31 edge at the break then outscored Gulf Coast 36-32 to take the eight-point victory.

Kalisha Washington out of Murrah High in Jackson paced the Lady Wildcats with a game-high 21 points (six rebounds, five steals), while Essence Pulliam out of Forest Hill High in Jackson added 15 (six rebounds, two blocks), Shanta’ Echols of Sumrall High 13 (10 rebounds), Deantra Darjean, a Prairie View A&M transfer who prepped at Yates High in Houston, Tex., 12 (five rebounds, three assists, three steals.

Christa Owen led the Lady Bulldogs with 15 points, followed with Cici Brown with 13 (five rebounds), Hellanisa Young nine (11 rebounds).

In the men’s game, Pearl River took a commanding 37-24 lead at the intermission before outscoring the Bulldogs 41-39 to take the 11-point win.

Kaven Bernard out of Assumption High in Napoleonville, La., led the Wildcats with a game-high 22 points (six rebounds), while Troy State (Ala.) signee Jeremy Hollimon of Gulfport High was close behind with 21 (six rebounds).

Chris Bilbo paced Gulf Coast with 17 points, while Rashad Perkins scored 16, Roger Woods 14, Tony Bridges nine.

Pearl River split with MGCCC in previous South Division meetings played Jan. 13 in Poplarville with the Lady Wildcats taking an 80-72 victory, while the Wildcats were 64-62 losers.

PRCC returns to the hard court hosting back-to-back South Division foes in Southwest Mississippi on Monday and Meridian on Thursday, Feb. 13. Both playing dates are set for 5 p.m. (women) and 7 p.m. (men).