MERIDIAN – Redshirt sophomore Daisha Bradford scored a career-high 38 points and No. 2 Jones held off a feisty Meridian squad, 79-70, Monday night to stay unbeaten on the year.

Jones improved to 11-0 and opened up a two-game lead in the division standings. Meridian fell to 7-2, with both losses to the Bobcats.

The Bobcats led 22-21 after one quarter, but a three-point heave from Yolanda Nelson as the buzzer sounded allowed MCC to sink three free throws to start an Eagle run.

MCC scored eight straight to take a 26-22 advantage, their largest lead of the night. 

Jones took control with a big third quarter, stretching the margin to 58-46 with under two minutes left in the quarter. 

Nelson's deep three-pointer from the MCC logo as time expired in the third pulled it to a 60-51 Bobcat lead.

Meridian got as close as a point with under five to play before Jones was able to ice it at the free throw line. They connected on 21-of-32 from the line on the night.

Behind Bradford's big night, Endia Holliday had nine points and eight rebounds, JaKayla Johnson had eight points and LeKera Hughes added seven points, five assists and four steals. Ebony Gayden added seven boards off the bench.

Jones will enjoy the rest of the week off before hosting Copiah-Lincoln on Monday, March 15 at 6 p.m.