ELLISVILLE – Jones College gave a valiant effort, but came up short to undefeated Itawamba here Monday night at A.B. Howard Gymnasium.
 
ICC took the lead for good late in the third quarter and went on to beat the Bobcats, 69-59.
 
Jones falls to 4-9 overall, 0-2 in the MACCC. Itawamba is now 13-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
 
The Bobcats started off well and took an 11-7 lead with 6:36 left in the opening quarter on a jumper by Ragins. ICC would lead 22-17 after the first quarter.
 
Jones trailed 37-31 at halftime, but rallied in the third quarter. 
 
Durrell's 3-pointer put the Indians ahead 40-31 with 8:53 showing in the third quarter. But the Bobcats went on a 12-2 run and went up 43-42 on a Valeria Martinez (Spain) layup with 2:19 left in the period. ICC would come back and take a 51-47 lead heading into the final quarter.
 
A Johnson layup with 7:58 left in the game got the Bobcats within 53-52. But a Naylor layup with 1:42 remaining capped a 12-3 run by ICC.
 
Itawamba held an overwhelming 49-2 advantage on points off the bench.
 
Jones was 24-of-66 from the floor for 36 percent. The Indians were 28-of-63 from the field for 44 percent.

Valencia McFall (St. Martin) led Jones with 23 points. She also pulled down eight rebounds to go with two blocks and two steals. La'Genesis Johnson (Choctaw County) had 15 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Khyla Ragins (Harrison Central) had 15 points and six assists. 
 
Ayonna Naylor top Itawamba with 18 points and nine rebounds. Jamyia Bowen had 14 points and six rebounds and Arianna Durrell had 10 points. Allie Beckley had 10 assists.
 
ICC outrebounded Jones, 44-39. The Bobcats committed 14 turnovers compared to 19 for ICC.
 
Jones visits Meridian for a 5:30 p.m. Thursday game.

Itawamba hosts Mississippi Delta on Thursday.