ORLANDO, FL — The North Mississippi Wildcats survived a physical and intense battle with the PT Cruisers (South Carolina) to pick up a 63-48 win earning them a spot in the Sweet 16 of the 17U AAU National Championship Tournament.
The Cruisers took an early 13-10 lead in the first quarter and clawed their way out to a 30-27 lead by halftime, but the Wildcats refused to lose and owned the second half of the game.
The Cats outscored South Carolina 16-8 in the third quarter to take 43-38 advantage before sinking 11-of-14 from the free throw line in the final frame to pull away for the 15-point victory.
Zach Carnell (Ingomar) and Josh Green (Pontotoc) led the Cats with 20 points each. Reed Clayton (Tupelo) added 7, Trevor Boren (Saltillo) 5, Zavion Adams (Hickory Flat) 5, Charlie Easley (Calhoun City) 2, Austin Harrelson (Tupelo) 2, Brandon Blake (Oxford) and Caleb Van Tassell added one point each.
D’Andre Draper scored 13 while Issac Williamson added 11 points for the Cruisers.
The win marks the fourth-straight victory for the Wildcats since dropping their first game of the week and puts them into the tournament’s Sweet 16 against the Minutemen White (New York) Friday at 10:00 a.m.
NMS 10 17 16 20 – 63
SC 13 17 8 10 – 48
