ELLISVILLE – Five players scored in double figures as No. 12 Jones College defeated Bishop State 97-85 here Thursday night at A.B. Howard Gymnasium.
 
It was the 27th consecutive home win for Jones, who improves to 10-2.
 
The Bobcats were down 7-4 early, but then went on a 22-5 run and took a 29-12 lead with 9:36 to go in the first half when Jay Tyler (Glen Allan) made two free throws. Jones took its longest lead of the half at 41-17 when Brooks Roberts (PCS) made a 3-pointer with 7:21 showing.
 
Jones led 57-39 at halftime.
 
The Bobcats took their longest lead of the evening when Bob Dickson (Memphis) made two free throws to make it 76-50 with 12:26 left.
 
The Wildcats would claw back and get within 94-85 on a Jeremiah Sem 3-pointer with 2:00 to play.
 
Dickson and Keron Jackson (Memphis) had 19 points each, Braylon Barnes (Brandon) had 17 points and eight rebounds, Dylan Rowe (Madison Central) had 14 points and Wesley Lindsey (Central Hinds Academy) finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. Roberts had nine points – all on three first half 3-pointers. Tyler finished with eight points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Dickson added six rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
 
Vophcy Prophete topped the Wildcats with 25 points and Sem added 19.
 
Jones made 31-of-64 shots for 48 percent, 9-of-24 3-pointers for 38 percent and 26-of-37 free throws for 70 percent. The Wildcats were 24-of-66 from the field for 36 percent, 7-of-22 from beyond the arc for 32 percent and 30-of-40 from the free throw line for 75 percent.
 
The Bobcats outrebounded Bishop State, 45-38, and had 18 turnovers to 14 for the Wildcats. Jones outscored Bishop State 42-32 on points in the paint. 
 
Jones will host Mississippi Gulf Coast at 7:30 p.m. Monday in its final home game before the Christmas holiday break. The game will air on jcbobcats.com/watch.
 
Tickets are $8 online at jcbobcats.com/tickets or $10 cash only at the entrance. 
 
Bishop State falls to 4-6 on the season.