SCOOBA – It just wasn't meant to be for the three-time defending MACJC Champion Jones College Bobcats Thursday night at Keyes Currie Coliseum.

Not once, but twice, Taylor Lattimore hit a desperation three-pointer for East Mississippi to force overtime and double overtime where the tournament hosts would eventually come out victorious, 87-73. It's the first conference championship for EMCC's women since 1984.

Jones (21-4) had multiple chances to put the game away late, but missed the back-end of two attempts at the free throw line that allowed EMCC to steal the win.

EMCC (24-2) opened the game with the first six points before JC scored 16 of the final 22 to lead by four after one. The Bobcats missed their first six shots before rattling off seven of their next 11.

The lead grew to five at half and by as many as eight, 39-31, with 7:08 left in the third quarter.

Trailing 56-55 with 1:26 left in regulation, however, Destiny Haymer hit back-to-back three-pointers to give JC a 61-58 lead with 23 seconds to play. 

After forcing a missed shot on the other end, Keyara Jones went to the line with nine seconds left and a chance to salt the game away, but missed the front end of two shots.

Lattimore hit a pair of free throws and EMCC immediately fouled to put LaMiracle Sims on the line with five seconds left. Sims made the first and missed the second and Lattimore heaved up a prayer from 30 feet away from the rim that somehow went in to force overtime.

Sims scored the first four points for JC in overtime as the Bobcats led 67-63. The lead was 69-66 with 22 seconds left when Chyna Allen made one of two free throws.

Lattimore once again delivered the dagger for EMCC with 0.3 seconds left as Tia Daniels found her on the wing for another miraculous three-pointer to tie the game at 69-69 and send it into double overtime.

EMCC scored the first nine points in the final stanza and Haymer fouled out to deplete the Bobcats even more. The Lady Lions would outscore Jones 18-4 to pull away for a 14-point win.

EMCC went to the free throw line 14 more times, outrebounded Jones 55-52 and held the Bobcat bench scoreless.

Sims had a monster double-double with 22 points and 15 rebounds, followed by Daja Woodard with 18 and 10, Jones with 13 and Haymer with 11 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.

Lattimore paced EMCC with a game-high 27 points. Ja'Mia Hollings added 19 points and 17 boards.

Both teams will compete in next week's NJCAA Region 23 Tournament in Clinton. Times and matchups will be announced Friday.