ELLISVILLE – Tied with 2:46 to play, a free throw and ensuing dunk by Decorian Payton pushed Jones ahead by a basket and the Bobcats were able to hold off ASU Mid-South, 64-61, Tuesday night at A.B. Howard Gymnasium. 

It was the season-opener for both teams and the first-ever meeting between the programs.

Jones led by as many as nine in the opening half, 17-8, after a layup from Jay Barnes and three-pointer from Ashton Campbell.

The Greyhounds would close the half on a 9-3 run, capped by Markese Bolden's three-pointer at the buzzer to give ASU Mid-South a 31-28 lead.

Five straight points from Caleb McGill to start the second half put Jones back on top 33-31 and they would hold a small lead the ensuing 15 minutes.

A 7-0 Greyhound run gave the visitors a 55-53 lead with 4:47 to play. 

Campbell hit the back-end of a two-shot foul to tie the game at 59 before Payton's dunk put Jones ahead for good. 

Three Bobcats finished in double figures, led by Barnes with 14, McGill with 13 and Campbell with 10. Daquarius Harris added nine points and five boards and Treylan Smith had eight points and seven rebounds in their first games with Jones after transferring in. 

Jailen Anderson had 15 points and O.J. Marrs a double-double for ASU Mid-South.

The Bobcats shot 39 percent against 42 percent for the Greyhounds. Jones was also outrebounded 44-32.

Jones travels to Marion Military Tuesday, Nov. 8 for a 6 p.m. tip.