GOODMAN – Nothing ever comes easy in the MACCC. 

Five of Jones' previous six conference games have come down to two possessions, and Thursday night was no different.

Calvin Temple caught fire late and No. 22 Jones rallied from 16 points down in the second half to stun Holmes, 72-70, Thursday in Goodman.

Two nights earlier, the Bobcats nearly erased a 25-point deficit against No. 9 East Mississippi, but ultimately fell, 77-73.

First-year head coach Newton Mealer vowed not to let that failed comeback happen again.

Jones trailed Holmes 38-31 at the half and fell behind 53-37 with 13:04 to play.

"I called timeout and expressed to them we are a lot better team than what we have shown as of late. I told them to stay the course and learn from the same situation we were in 48 hours earlier. Seize the moment and believe you can come back and win this game."

Calvin Temple hit a mid-range jumper and completed a three-point play for five quick points, and the Bobcats rallied to tie the game at 57-57 after two free throws by Lovell Smith.

Jones battled back to take its largest lead, 72-67, with 1:08 to play before a basket and ensuing free throw for Holmes pulled it back within a one possession game.

A missed three by Temple and last-second three-point attempt for Holmes was after the buzzer allowing Jones to escape with the 72-70 win.

"Growth and leadership is what I saw the most in this game," Mealer continued. "The sign of a great team is to bounce back from a tough situation and capitalize the next time. That's exactly what we did."

Behind Temple's game-high 22 points, Decorian Payton had 16 points and five rebounds. Holmes was led by Caleb Campbell with 18 points.

Jones shot 42 percent on the night against 45% for Holmes. The Bobcats forced 23 Bulldog turnovers and held them to 4-of-15 from downtown.

Jones, 12-3, 4-3, has a week off before hosting Mississippi Delta on January 27 at 6 p.m.