Preview: Shelton State at Pearl River Men’s Basketball

POPLARVILLE, Miss. (Interstat) — The Shelton State Buccaneers will look to maintain their winning form against a familiar foe when they visit the Pearl River Wildcats in a men’s junior college basketball matchup Monday.

The game is a quick rematch of a Dec. 8 meeting, which the visiting Buccaneers (7-3) won 75-61. Shelton State has won three of its last four games overall, though it is coming off a 72-55 road loss to Columbia State on Dec. 19. In that defeat, Fredrick Derrick led the Buccaneers with 12 points in 26 minutes.

Pearl River (2-5) last played on Dec. 13, earning a 73-60 home victory over Southern-Shreveport. Wildcats’ players Kelan Rich (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Christian Gilliland (19 points) paced that effort. The Wildcats have struggled for consistency, with their only other win this season coming in their opener.

The Buccaneers’ offense has shown potency, scoring 86 points or more in three victories. Their three losses have all come on the road, where they will be again Monday. Key contributors include Derrick and DJ Hamlett, who dished three assists in the last outing.

Pearl River will aim to leverage home court and build on its most recent performance. The Wildcats’ defense, which allowed 75 points to Shelton State last month, will need improvement to counter the Buccaneers’ balanced attack.

This contest represents the final non-conference tune-up for Shelton State before it opens Alabama Community College Conference play on Jan. 15. Pearl River opens Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference action on Jan. 8.

Tip-off is set for Monday night at Marvin R. White Coliseum.