SUMMIT – Ninth-ranked Jones College clinched its fourth consecutive MACJC South Division title here Thursday night at Horace Holmes Gymnasium.
 
The Bobcats rallied from a 12-point first half deficit and defeated Southwest, 69-55.
 
Head coach Missy Bilderback's team is now 18-2 overall and 12-0 in the division. It was Jones' 12th straight victory.
 
Daja Woodard (Mobile, Alabama) posted her seventh 'double-double' of the season, getting 12 points and grabbing 21 rebounds. Keyara Jones (Heidelberg) had 22 points and five steals and Destiny Haymer (Holmes County Central) had 13 points and seven assists. LaMiracle Sims (Moss Point) had 11 rebounds.
 
Ebony Gayden's (McComb) layup gave Jones a 14-9 lead with 2:38 to play in the opening quarter. But Southwest would take a 16-14 lead after the opening period.
 
Shylia McGee's jumper with 7:47 remaining in the first half ended a 14-0 run and gave the Bears their longest lead of the game at 28-14. Jordan Clark's (South Jones) 3-pointer with 34 seconds showing cut the lead to 38-27 at halftime.
 
The second half was all Jones as the Bobcats outscored the Bears, 42-17.
 
Clark's layup with 18 seconds left in the third quarter tied the game at 46-46. Southwest led 47-46 entering the final period.
 
 Haymer's 3-pointer tied the game at 49-49 with 7:34 remaining and a Keyara Jones' jumper at 6:50 gave the Bobcats the lead for good at 51-49.
 
JC's longest lead was at the end of the game.
 
The Bobcats were 22-of-60 from the floor for 37 percent and connected on 8-of-20 3-pointers. Jones was 17-of-21 from the free throw line.
 
Jones outrebounded Southwest, 46-39.
 
McGee led the Bears with 15 points and Jolie Williams added 12.
 
Southwest was 19-of-60 from the field for 32 percent. 
 
The Bobcats will play their final home game of the season at 5:30 p.m. on Monday vs. Mississippi Gulf Coast. It will be "Sophomore Night" and the game will also be streamed on JCJC.TV. 
 
It will also be "Samaritan's Feet" night at A.B. Howard Gymnasium. Fans are encouraged to bring a pair of new or slightly used tennis shoes Monday to provide children in our community and nationwide with new shoes. Admission is free with your donation. 


Southwest, 15-6 overall and 8-4 in the league, goes to Pearl River on Monday.