PENSACOLA, Fla. – In a great back-and-forth battle on the opening day of the Pensacola State Classic at Hartsell Arena, No. 10 Northwest Florida State pulled away in overtime, 78-64, to hand Jones its first loss of the year.

Northwest Florida State, the reigning national champions, snapped a two-game skid to improve to 7-2. The Bobcats fell to 4-1.

The game featured nine ties and nine lead changes. Jones led by as many as six in the first half and the Raiders' largest lead was in the overtime period.

NWF jumped out to a 16-8 lead midway through the first half but Jones would rally with a 10-2 run to tie the game at 18-all.

Jones led 29-25 at halftime.

Back-and-forth the entire second half, Ashton Campbell's two free throws tied the game at 62-62 with 41 seconds to play. 

After forcing a missed shot with 13 seconds left, Jones had a chance to win it in regulation. Caleb McGill's corner three-pointer rimmed out and Chad Baker-Mazara's desperation three got stuck on the side of the rim to force overtime.

McGill hit Treylan Smith for a 64-62 lead to start overtime, but Jones went ice cold after that and was held without a point the final 4:51.

NWF outscored Jones 16-2 in overtime to pull away late for the win.

Campbell led Jones with 19 points and six rebounds. Smith and McGill had nine apiece and Zandon Haralson added eight off the bench.

Jones continues play in the classic at 7 o'clock Tuesday against the host Pirates.