ELLISVILLE – No. 11 Jones College opened the second half of the basketball season the same way it ended 2024, with a win.

The Bobcats, 13-2, defeated Shelton State 76-68 Monday at A.B. Howard Gymnasium night to extend their home winning streak to 11 games. 

Five Jones players finished in double figures, led by Avery Thomas II's 19 points. 

Trailing 12-8 five minutes into the opening half, Jones put together a 9-0 run that was ended by a Jylan Howze dunk and 17-12 Bobcat lead.

Jones scored 18 of the next 21 points to build a double digit lead, with Malik Franklin draining three of his 10 points off the bench. 

The Bobcats led 44-31 at the half.

The Bucs, 8-5, quickly cut a 13-point deficit down to 44-40 to force a Jones timeout.

Ky Pernell's three-pointer helped Jones reset and hit six of its next eight shots to stretch the lead to a game-high 16 points with 10:53 to play. 

Shelton State got no closer than eight the rest of the way.

Behind Thomas' 19 points, LJ Hackman had 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Ky had 16, Dimp Pernell 10 and Franklin 10. 

The Bucs outshot Jones shot 47 to 43 percent and also won the rebound battle 37-34.

Nazir Griffin's 16 led four Bucs in double figures.

Jones hosts Mississippi Delta on Thursday, January 9 at 1 p.m., moved up from the original  6 p.m. start time due to weather.