SCOOBA – It was a game of runs Monday night at Keyes T. Currie Coliseum.

Jones' 18-6 run over the last 4:22 got the game down to one possession before East Mississippi was able to finish the game off at the free throw line for a narrow, 77-76 victory.

EMCC improved to 13-2, 4-1 in the MACCC while Jones dropped to 10-6 and 3-3 in league play.

The Bobcats came out firing behind the hot hand of Jay Barnes who scored 14 first-half points to give Jones a 20-9 lead.

The lead was as many as 12 with seven minutes left in the period as Caleb McGill got going for 12 of his 21 points on the night.

Jones led 34-27 at half with McGill closing the period with back-to-back dunks.

EMCC scored the first seven points of the second half to tie the game at 34-34 with Jones held without a point for nearly four minutes.

The Lions built their lead up to 70-58 with 4:22 remaining before a late-game surge by the Bobcats.

Zandon Haralson hit three triples, Barnes hit a three and Samarion Grant another as the lead was quickly down to 74-71 with 52 seconds left. 

But EMCC was able to salt it away at the line and Haralson's three-pointer at the buzzer made the final 77-76. 

Barnes scored a career-high 28 to lead Jones, followed by 21 from McGill. Haralson had nine and Grant eight.

Five Lions finished in double figures.

The teams combined for 44 fouls, 54 free throw attempts and three technical fouls.

Jones returns home Thursday to host Holmes.