POPLARVILLE – Leading by 19 with under 12 minutes to play, No. 5 Jones held off a late Pearl River surge, 73-67, Thursday night to take over sole possession of first in the MACCC. 

It was the Bobcats' first win in Poplarville since the 2017-18 season. 

Jones pushed its win streak out to 10 games in improving to 24-3, 10-1 in the conference. PRCC dropped to 21-5, 10-2.

The Bobcat lead was 37-28 at half after leading by as many as 11.

An Avery Thomas II three-pointer and Amillion Buggs layup quickly pushed the lead back out to double digits early in the second half, 42-30.

Ky Pernell and Thomas hit back-to-back 3s to start an 8-2 run and the lead was up to 59-40 with 12 minutes to play.

Jones did not score the next five minutes as PRCC clawed back with a 15-0 run to get within 59-55.

It was 63-62 Jones when Dimp Pernell hit two free throws and Ky followed with a three-pointer to push it back out to six.

The Bobcats would hang on from there for a big road win to move closer to a second straight MACCC Championship.

Dimp finished with 17 points, Thomas 17, Ky 16, LJ Hackman eight and Buggs six points and five boards.

Jones shot 46 percent on the night, including 11 three-pointers. PRCC shot 47 percent.

The Wildcats were led by Joah Chappelle's 21 points and nine rebounds.

Jones hosts a fiesty Coahoma squad Monday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $7 at jcbobcats.com/tickets or $10 cash only at the door. The game will stream live on jcbobcats.com/watch.