ELLISVILLE — Jones College used an 8-0 run in the final four minutes to rally past East Central 63-57 in women’s basketball Tuesday night at A.B. Howard Gymnasium.
The Bobcats improved to 13-3 overall and 2-1 in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference. East Central fell to 3-11 and 0-3 in league play.
Jones trailed 52-49 with 3:55 remaining. Larissa Hubbard of Harrison Central made two free throws, and Jakera Ducksworth of West Jones followed with a layup with 2:49 left to give the Bobcats the lead for good at 53-52. A free throw by Ducksworth and a three-point play by Anna-Patrice Patterson of Bay Springs capped the run, putting Jones ahead 57-52 with 31 seconds remaining.
The Bobcats led 22-15 after the first quarter and took their largest lead of the game at 24-15 with 9:02 left in the second quarter when Hubbard made a jump shot. East Central fought back, tying the game 28-28 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Ranyha Pruitt hit a three-pointer with 16 seconds remaining to give East Central a 46-45 lead entering the final period.
Ducksworth led Jones with 20 points and six rebounds. Hubbard added 14 points and five rebounds, while Lamarah Cleaves of Tupelo finished with 10 points. For East Central, Charity Beemon scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. A’Kiya Ratcliff added 12 points, and Raiyleigh Perry contributed 10.
Jones shot 40% from the field, slightly better than East Central’s 39%. The Bobcats committed 27 turnovers, while the Lady Warriors turned the ball over 23 times.
Jones will travel to Mississippi Delta for a game Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
