DECATUR – Fourth-ranked Jones scored the game's first five points and would go wire-to-wire in a 78-69 win at East Central Thursday night at Brackeen-Wood Gymnasium. 

After dropping its first MACCC game on the road to Itawamba Jan. 13, the Bobcats have won their last 12.

Jones improved to 26-3, 12-1 in the conference while EC dropped to 15-12, 6-7 MACCC.

Jones closes out the regular season Monday night at home against Hinds with a win clinching a second straight league title.

The Bobcats led 47-27 at the half behind a balance attack from the starting five.  Avery Thomas II had 11 points, Dimp Pernell nine, LJ Hackman nine, Ky Pernell eight and Amillion Buggs six. 

The JC lead grew to as many as 61-34 in the second half with 14:29 showing on the clock and the Warriors wouldn't get within single digits until 1:10 left.

Hackman and Dimp had 17 apiece to lead JC offensively, Thomas 14 points, Ky 10 points and Buggs nine points. Jay Tyler had six in limited bench minutes.

Jones shot 52 percent for the night.

*ECCC stats unavailable at time of story