MERIDIAN – For the third time in four games, Jones was on the wrong end of a one possession ballgame. The Bobcats missed a shot to tie in the waning seconds in a 64-61 loss at Meridian on Monday night.

Jones dropped to 1-4, with its four losses by a combined 13 points. Meridian improved to 3-2.

Ashton Campbell and Tradavis Thompson once again led the way in the stat sheet for the visiting Bobcats, with Campbell scoring 19 and Thompson adding 14 points and five assists. 

Jabari Bowman was productive in his first career start with nine points and five boards. 

Jones trailed 31-26 at the half and rallied to tie the game at 48-48 with just over eight minutes left in regulation.

The Meridian lead was 57-51 with 3:30 left before a Korey Jones layup and a jumper and two free throws from Campbell tied it again at 57 apiece.

Isaiah Patrick's contested layup pulled JC to 63-61 with 23 seconds to play, and after a missed free throw by Meridian, had a shot to tie with the ball and 12 seconds left. But Patrick's corner three-pointer rattled out as time expired. 

Free throws proved to be the difference in the game for a second road contest, with Jones going 6-of-12 and the host Eagles going 21-for-28. Christian Terrell shot as many free throws as the entire Bobcat team. Two Bobcats fouled out on the night in Thompson and Jeff Blackmon II.

Terrell had 21 to lead all scorers for Meridian, with Brandon Ellington adding 14 points, 17 rebounds and eight blocks.

The Bobcats play host to Copiah-Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. on JCJC.TV.