ELLISVILLE – Top-ranked Jones College turned up the defense in the second half and went on to a 68-49 decision over Hinds here Friday afternoon at A.B. Howard Gymnasium.
 
The Bobcats end regular season play at 16-0 – the first time in school history to have an undefeated regular season.
 
Jones will now turn its attention to the Region 23 Tournament where they will host the winner between Mississippi Delta and Hinds on Wednesday, March 31 at 6 p.m. on JCJC.TV.
 
The Bobcats had a sluggish first half against Hinds, leading only 28-27 at halftime.
 
But Jones held Hinds to only one field goal in the third quarter and three in the final period.
 
Endia Holliday (South Jones) set the tone for the second half when she grabbed an offensive rebound, drew the foul and made both free throws. Lekera Hughes (Oak Grove) then got a steal and a layup and followed that up with a made jump shot.
 
A Daisha Bradford (Mobile, Alabama) layup ended a 10-2 run and put Jones ahead 38-29 with 6:56 showing in the third quarter. The Bobcats would carry a 52-38 lead into the final period.
 
The Bulldogs would get no closer than 14 points in the final quarter. A layup by Kimaya Dixon (Lafayette) with 45 seconds left gave Jones its largest lead at 68-47.
 
Hughes led Jones with 19 points and four steals. Bradford had 16 points and five assists. Holiday had nine points and 11 rebounds and Kyjai Miles (Dallas, Texas) had nine rebounds.
 
T'onna Sims had 13 points and Acacia Stewart added 12 for the Bulldogs. Akyriale Ford had 10 rebounds.
 
The Bobcats made 25-of-60 shots from the field for 42 percent. They were 3-of-14 from 3-point range and 15-of-22 from the free throw line.
 
Hinds, after making 12-of-24 shots in the first, ended the game making just 16-of-47 for 34 percent. They were 2-of-11 from 3-point range and 15-of-18 from the foul line.
 
Jones outrebounded Hinds, 39-29. The Bobcats forced 24 turnovers and committed 19.
 
Hinds, 0-13, will play a Region 23 Tournament play-in game against Delta on Monday.