ELLISVILLE – Jones College was pushed to the limit Monday night in its NJCAA Region 23 Tournament opener against East Mississippi.

Trailing by two with 2:35 to play, Olivia Knight hit a three-pointer as the shot clock expired to put Jones ahead 38-37 and the Bobcats outscored EMCC 9-2 down the stretch to hold on for a 44-39 win to move on to Tuesday's region quarterfinal.

It's a quick turnaround four and a half hours away at LSU Eunice. Tuesday's game will tip at 5:30 on the LSUE Digital Network. Fans can access the game on any mobile device, Apple TV, Roku TV or download the app.

Jones led 9-5 after a quarter before the game picked up.

Sakyia White had a dozen points to lead all scorers in the first half as the Bobcats built their largest lead, 25-18, with 1:48 left in the second quarter.

EMCC rallied to tie the game at 27-27 halfway through the third quarter before Jones hit four free throws to lead it 31-28 after three.

The teams combined for a scoreless four minutes in the fourth quarter. After the Lions took a 37-35 lead on Shakira Wilson's corner three-pointer, Olivia Knight responded to put Jones up one.

Arianna Patton followed with a runner inside the free throw line and Meloney Thames hit a tough layup to stretch the lead to three. Jones was able to salt it away on the free throw line.

Jones, the five-time defending NJCAA Region 23 champions, won its 17th straight region tournament game.

Both teams shot under 35 percent on the night and combined to go 4-of-24 from downtown.

White had 15 points and nine rebounds to lead Jones, followed by eight points from Knight, seven points from Thames and six points and 10 points from Thames.