ELLISVILLE – LJ Hackman scored 26 of his career-high 30 points in the second half and No. 11 Jones pulled away late from Mississippi Delta, 90-78, to close out non-conference play.

Jones improved to 14-2 with its 12th straight home win while MDCC fell to 7-6.

The Trojans got off to a hot start and took an 11-4 lead 4:56 into the first before the Bobcats settled in.

A Ky Pernell basket and ensuing free throw helped Jones score 13 of the next 15 points to pull ahead, 17-13. 

The teams would trade baskets the final five minutes and Jones would take a slim, 35-32 lead at half.

Hackman took over for Jones in the second half.

He scored nine of the first 12 of the period and 26 in all.

Tied at 39, Jones put together a 15-2 run to take a 54-41 lead and would never let MDCC any closer than seven.

After going 4-for-20 from beyond the arc in the first half, Jones hit 7-of-16 threes in the second.

MDCC was plus-17 on the boards and outshot Jones 42 to 36 percent but turned the ball over 31 times.

Behind Hackman's 30, Ky had 21 points, six rebounds, six assists and six steals, Dimp Pernell added eight points, nine rebounds and six assists and both Malik Franklin and Jylan Howze had eight points each.

MDCC was led by 19 from Bralyn Mayfield and 13 points and 12 boards by Javeon Smith.

Jones opens MACCC play Monday, January 13 at Itawamba.