ELLISVILLE – The 12th-ranked Jones College Lady Bobcats posted an impressive 88-73 victory over No. 5 and previously unbeaten Shelton State (Alabama) here Monday night at A.B. Howard Gymnasium. Three Lady Bobcats posted 'double-doubles' on the evening. 

Sophomore forward Daja Woodard (Mobile, Alabama) made her season debut with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman forward Ebony Gayden (McComb) had 15 points and 10 rebounds and sophomore guard Destiny Haymer (Holmes County Central) had 10 points and 11 assists.

Sophomore guard Keyara Jones (Heidelberg) added 13 points, sophomore guard Chyna Allen (Harrison Central) had 11 and sophomore forward LaMiracle Sims (Moss Point) and sophomore guard Jatyjia Jones (Pontotoc) had 10 points each as Jones placed seven players in double figures.

Jones utilized a 15-0 run in the first quarter to take control. The Lady Bobcats led 23-7 after the opening period and 42-32 at halftime. 

The visiting Bucs pulled within 54-51 with less than a minute to play in the third quarter. But Gayden converted a 3-point play and consecutive steals by Jordan Clark (South Jones) led to layups by Gayden and Allen to give Jones a 61-51 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Shelton State would get no closer in the final period.

The Lady Bobcats were 39-of-88 from the floor (44 percent), 5-of-22 from 3-point range and 5-of-9 from the free throw line. 

Thaniyah Marks and LaTascya Duff led the Bucs with 13 points and LaTora Duff added 12.

Shelton State was 25-of-64 from the field (39 percent), 5-of-24 from beyond the arc and 18-of-28 from the free throw line. 

Jones outrebounded the Bucs, 53-41, and had 23 assists compared to 14 for Shelton State.

The Lady Bobcats, 4-1, will host Coastal Alabama-North at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and will open MACJC South Division play at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 at home vs. Meridian Community College. Both games will air on JCJC.TV.

Shelton State, 7-1, visits Wallace State- Selma on Thursday.