ELLISVILLE — Tootie Lockett’s 15-foot shot as time expired lifted Itawamba Community College to a 54-53 victory over Jones College on Monday night at A.B. Howard Gymnasium.
Jones led 53-52 after Sanyla Smith scored on a putback with 0.8 seconds remaining. The Bobcats called timeout and advanced the ball to midcourt before Lockett’s game-winning shot hit the front of the rim, bounced off the backboard and went through the net.
The game was close throughout. Jones led 13-12 after the first quarter, 28-25 at halftime and 40-38 after three quarters. ICC took a 48-45 lead when Jakera Ducksworth made two free throws with 2:01 left. Larissa Hubbard put Jones ahead 49-48 with a layup at 1:39, and Kelsi Dilworth hit a 3-pointer to make it 51-49 with 55 seconds remaining.
Hubbard then tied the game at 51-51 with a layup with 37 seconds to go. Emarie Boddie made a free throw to put ICC ahead 52-51 with 16 seconds left, setting the stage for the final frantic seconds.
Hubbard finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Ducksworth added 11 points and 10 rebounds. Smith contributed nine points and 11 rebounds for Jones. Lockett led ICC with 22 points and nine rebounds, and I’Xana Winters scored 10. Boddie also had 10 rebounds.
Jones shot 31 percent from the field, while ICC was at 33 percent. The Bobcats outrebounded the Lady Indians 47-39 but committed 23 turnovers compared to 16 for ICC. Jones falls to 16-4 overall, 5-2 in conference play. ICC improves to 14-7, 5-2 in the MACCC.
The Bobcats will visit Coahoma for a 5:30 p.m. game Thursday.
