ELLISVILLE – No. 4 Jones spotted Northeast the game's first 13 points but rallied behind a strong defensive effort and 56 percent shooting the second half to knock off the Tigers 90-83 Wednesday night to reach its third consecutive regional final.

Jones, 29-3, tied a school record for wins and can post its first-ever 30-win finish with a victory tomorrow night. Northeast's season came to a close at 27-5.

The Bobcats host rival Pearl River, 24-6, at 6 o'clock Thursday for the region championship and automatic bid to Hutchinson, Kansas and the NJCAA Division I Tournament.

Tickets are $10 through jcbobcats.com/tickets or $15 cash only at the door. The game will be streamed at jcbobcats.com/watch and live stats will also be available.

It was 13-0 Tigers just 2:35 in as they hit their first four shots and Jones missed its first four.

Jones would quickly respond with 18 of the next 26 points to pull within 21-18 and then went on a 13-4 run to take its largest lead of the half.

But the Tigers would close with a nice run of their own to take a 46-38 lead at the half. 

Avery Thomas II had a game-high 13 at the half and LJ Hackman nine for Jones.

Northeast's bench outscored Jones' 22-0 in the half.

Ky Pernell's three-pointer with 13:01 to play put Jones on top for good and a steal by Thomas and ensuing slam by Ky made it 60-57 JC.

The Tigers got as close at 76-75 with 4:51 left after a pair of Josh Williams free throws but Jones was able to hit all eight of its free shots to close out the come-from-behind win.

Jones has beaten Northeast five straight and 10 of the last 11 overall.

All five Bobcat starters finished in double figures, including Hackman with 25, Thomas 19, Ky 17, Dimp 14 and Amillion Buggs 10 points and seven rebounds.

Jones shot 51 percent against 45 for Northeast. NE won the battle of the bench, 42-5, and on the glass 38-33.