The PCA Paladins defeated the Jackson Victors 71-68 in Ridgeland, MS in a barn burner on Saturday afternoon.
The Paladins came in on their second set of games as they had defeated the cross-town team, the Muddy River Counselors, 83-52.
The game started neck and neck in a defensive battle. The first quarter ended tied at 14. The first half ended tied at 27. The offense for both teams picked up in the second half. Senior guard Gideon Peacock really picked it up for Jackson to give them a 57-52 lead at the end of three periods.
In the fourth, the Paladins evened the ball game behind long range threes from Daniel Cooper and Drew Boggs. With 3:39 to go in the ball game, Peacock fouled out. At this time, the game was tied at 64. In the remaining time, the Victors struggled with the increased pressure the Paladins began applying. But behind driving layups from Ethan Hendry and Nash Spicer, the Victors tied the game at 68 with 10 seconds to go.
Coach Chris Erickson of the Paladins called a timeout. The Paladins then had the ball on the baseline. They had mild pressure but got the ball to senior guard Rashaad Rogers. Rogers put Spicer in a frenzy with crossovers before hitting the step back three as the time expired giving the PCA Paladins the win and the MSAHA Regular Season Championship for the 2020-21 season.
The PCA Paladins (9-6)[7-1] will have the No. 1 seed in the tournament and next take the floor against the Baton Rouge Eagles in Baton Rouge on Monday night.
The Jackson Victors (3-3)[4-9] currently have the No. 4 seed in the conference and next take the floor against the CHA Flame on Monday night at home in Ridgeland.
