JACKSON – Jones College is returning to Hutch.
The Bobcats led by as many as 19 in the second half, but for a second straight night, had to hang on in the final minute to secure an 83-81 victory over Gulf Coast to claim the NJCAA Region 23 and Gulf District Championship.
"I give God all the glory for giving me the opportunity to be the coach at Jones," third-year head coach
Newton Mealer said. "This is all worth it. To put the work in and to see the excitement on my guys' faces when I look around the gym, it's all worth it. Tonight, they were rewarded. We're headed to the national tournament and we couldn't be more excited."
It's Jones' third region title in program history and first since the 2016-17 season.
The first trip to Hutchinson, Kansas, in 2014 resulted in the program's first and MACCC's only men's basketball national championship.
MGCCC led twice in the opening 2:03, but Jones controlled most of the tempo the rest of the way.
A 12-2 Bobcat run opened up a 27-13 lead with 7:53 to play in the first half and
Trey Smith would hit a buzzer-beating three to end the period with Jones on top, 44-30.
Smith had all 12 of his points in the half off the bench, with
Ky Pernell and
LJ Hackman adding nine apiece.
Chaunterion Ward's three-pointer gave JC a game-high 52-33 lead 2:24 into the second half before the Bulldogs started to claw back in it thanks to foul trouble.
Hackman sat with his fourth foul for nearly 14 minutes,
Dimp Pernell had four and
Kylan Howze four and had to play sparingly.
With Jones without its top two guards, MGCCC pounced on the opportunity.
An 18-5 Bulldog run cut the deficit to 57-51 with 12:36 to play and they'd eventually tie it at 75-75 on Duran Parish's layup with 3:05 left.
D. Pernell immediately put the Cats back on top, 77-75, as Jones scored the next five, but MGCC had the next six to lead it 81-80 with 1:04 to play.
Two K. Pernell free throws and a steal by Ward allowed
Malik Franklin to hit one of two free throws before a final shot attempt for MGCCC.
Franklin's second free throw bounced off the back iron and Omarion Smith rebounded and eventually got it to John Davis who was swatted from behind by D. Pernell as the final horn sounded.
Ky finished with a game-high 24 to lead Jones, followed by 16 from Franklin, 12 from Smith and 10 from Hackman.
Four of MGCCC's five starters scored in double figures, ledy by Parish with 17.
Jones, 27-6, will find out its first-round opponent in the NJCAA Tournament during a
Selection Show at 6 p.m. CST Sunday night. The viewing is open to the public and will be in the football team meeting room on the second floor of the C.L. Neill Student Center.
