ELLISVILLE – Upset Monday night at Itawamba, No. 7 Jones bounced back in a big way Thursday night at A.B. Howard Gymnasium. 

The Bobcats thumped Meridian, 81-59, to improve to 15-3 overall and 1-1 in MACCC play. The Eagles dropped to 7-10, 0-2.

Jones has won 13 straight at home.

Meridian raced out to an early 8-1 lead, its largest all night, over the first 1:39.

Back-to-back threes by Avery Thomas II and Dimp Pernell tied the game at 13-13 three minutes later.

Back-and-forth the final 15 of the period, the Bobcats closed the first half on a 9-1 run to take a 35-30 lead.

The lead quickly grew to 15 points at the 14:23-mark of the second half and Jones would cruise to the finish line.

Thomas scored 14 of his game-high 24 points in the second half.

Kylan Howze finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, LJ Hackman had 14 and Ky Pernell 10 points and six boards. Dimp and Malik Franklin chipped in seven points each.

Jones closed the night 45 percent shooting against 35 percent for Meridian. 

Michael James had 15 to lead the Eagles.

Jones will travel to Mississippi Gulf Coast Monday, Jan. 20 for a 7:30 p.m. tip, moved up a day from Tuesday.