ELLISVILLE – Jones College made a season-high 17 three-pointers and defeated Mississippi Delta 97-76 here Thursday night at A.B. Howard Gymnasium.
 
The Bobcats made 11 treys in the first half and ended up hitting 17-of-37 from beyond the arc for 45 percent.
 
Jones is now 20-6 overall and 7-3 in the MACCC. It's the first time since 2019-20 for the Bobcats to have a 20-win season.
 
The victory sets up a huge showdown on Monday at Northeast. The Tigers are 24-3 overall and lead the conference with a 9-2 record.
 
Malik Franklin (Vicksburg) led the Bobcats with 27 points, including six three-pointers. Dimp Pernell (Horn Lake) came within one assist of a triple-double. He ended up with 17 points, a team-high 11 rebounds and nine assists. Chaunterion Ward (Memphis) had 16 points and Ky Pernell (Horn Lake) ended up with 14 points. LJ Hackman (Columbus) had eight points, seven assists and four rebounds. Dimp Pernell and Kylan Howze (Gulfport) each had four assists.
 
After MDCC made a technical foul shot to start the game the Bobcats got back-to-back three-pointers from Ward and were never threatened. Jones led 57-29 at halftime.
 
The Bobcats took its longest lead at 79-45 with 12:27 to play on a 3-pointer by Trey Smith (Terry).
 
Jones made 32-of-74 shots for 43 percent and 16-of-24 free throws for 67 percent.
 
Daivion Traylor led the Trojans with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Latrell Vance and Elijah Hollins each had 18.
 
MDCC outrebounded Jones, 41-37. The Bobcats forced 23 turnovers and committed only 10. Jones had 31 points off of turnovers and 40 points off the bench.
 
The Trojans are 8-15 overall, 2-0 in the league and host Northeast on Feb. 29.