BOONEVILLE – Jones strung together its best two halves of basketball at Northeast Monday night, knocking off the MACCC-leading Tigers 86-51 for a statement win.

Jones improved to 21-6, 8-3 in the MACCC and can win the league by going 3-0 to end the season. Northeast fell to 24-4, 9-3 in the conference.

It was Northeast's second home loss of the season in 17 tries.

Jones scored 13 of the game's first 15 points, highlighted by a Kylan Howze fastbreak dunk, and the rout was on. 

The Bobcats shot a sizzling 50 percent from the floor while holding the Tigers to 17 percent. Jones hit 7-of-12 from deep.

Jones built its lead up to 30 in the first five minutes of the second half and it ballooned to as many as 43 with 8:33 to play. 

Jones hit double digits 3s for the 11th time this year, finishing 14-for-28.

LJ Hackman notched Jones' first triple-double in at least the last decade, closing with 18 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds, and was one of five Bobcats in double figures.

Ky Pernell added 16 points, Dimp Pernell 13-7-7, Chaunterion Ward 11 points and K. Howze 10 points, eight rebounds and five blocks.

Northeast was held to 26 percent shooting on the night. 

Jones hosts Pearl River Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7:30.