ELLISVILLE – The Meridian Community Lady Eagles led for almost the entire game and defeated Jones County Junior College 85-79 here Tuesday night at A.B. Howard Gymnasium.
The Lady Bobcats fall to 9-4 overall, 3-2 in the division.
Londyn Thomas was the story for MCC, as she scored 32 points, including a 14-of-18 from the free throw line. MCC post player Miaya Crowder was credited with 21 rebounds.
MCC took a 12-7 lead at the 14:09 of the first half on a pair of Thomas free throws and they went up 27-19 with 7:47 to play on a basket by Andrianna James.
The Lady Bobcats then went on a 10-2 run and tied the game at 29-29 with 4:41 showing on a turnaround 10-footer by Jayda Simmons. JCJC took its first lead of the game at 34-33 with 3:31 to play when Aliyah Bell got a steal and fed Kadie Parker for a layup. The Lady Bobcats' longest lead of the game was 38-36 with 1:45 left in the opening half when Terrica Williams scored on a putback.
MCC would take a 42-40 halftime lead when Thomas made two free throws with 4.3 seconds showing.
JCJC's last lead came at 44-43 with 18:48 left when Alyson Johnson scored. MCC would then outscore the Lady Bobcats 16-4 and take a 59-48 lead with 11:44 left when James scored.
But JCJC then went on a 12-1 run and tied the game at 60-60 with 8:49 remaining when Johnson made a 3-pointer from the right wing. MCC then ran out to a 69-62 lead with 6:41 left when Thomas scored after a steal.
LaShonda Cousin's layup gave the Lady Eagles an 81-73 lead with 1:37 left.  JCJC pulled within 81-77 with 52.4 seconds to play when Starla Daggans made a free throw line jumper, but they would get no closer.
Daggans led JCJC with 16 points, while Johnson and Taylor Baudoin had 14 each. Bell finished with 10. Daggans, Baudoin and Bell had 9 rebounds each. Bell and Baudoin had 4 assists apiece, while Daggans and Johnson had 3 steals each.
Crowder added 17 points for MCC, while James had 12 points. Thomas had 9 rebounds and 5 assists for MCC, 11-4 overall and 4-1 in the division.
JCJC was 33-of-87 from the field, including 4-of-19 from 3-point range, for 38 percent. The Lady Bobcats were just 9-of-21 from the free throw line.
Meridian was 31-of-70 from the floor, including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, for 44 percent. The Lady Eagles were 21-of-37 from the free throw line.
JCJC outrebounded Meridian, 46-44. The Lady Bobcats committed 14 turnovers and Meridian had 16.
 JCJC travels to Southwest Mississippi on Thursday with the women's game starting at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m. The Bobcats conclude the first half of division play with home games vs. Hinds on Monday.
Meridian hosts Copiah-Lincoln on Thursday.

 
Tuesday's game
At Ellisville
A.B. Howard Gymnasium
WOMEN
Meridian 85, Jones County 79
MERIDIAN (11-4, 4-1) – Londyn Thomas 32, Miaya Crowder 17, Andrianna James 12, Maia McCullum 8, LaShonda Cousin 8, Tytianna Hall 6, Kristen Dixon-McBeath 2, Nelundra Moore 0, Alliejah Echols 0.
JONES COUNTY (9-4, 3-2) – Starla Daggans 16, Alyson Johnson 14, Taylor Baudoin 14, Aliyah Bell 10, Terrica Williams 8, Jayda Simmons 8, Kadie Parker 7, Kristen Smith 2, Hayley Pichon 0.
Meridian          42 43 – 85
Jones County 40 39 – 79