Jones College wins third consecutive NJCAA Region 23 title in overtime over No. 25 Itawamba

Fulton, Miss. — Jones College men’s basketball claimed its third consecutive NJCAA Region 23 title Thursday night with a 102-96 overtime victory over No. 25 Itawamba at the Davis Event Center.

The win marks the first time a team has won three straight Region 23 titles since East Mississippi won four from 2009 to 2013. Jones will compete in the NJCAA Division I Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas, March 21-28. The tournament seedings will be announced March 16 at 5 p.m. CST on the NJCAA Network.

The Bobcats completed a “Revenge Tour” after losing to Pearl River, Southwest, and Itawamba during the regular season. They defeated the Wildcats 89-74 in the quarterfinals, the Bears 93-77 in the semifinals, and the Indians in the championship game.

Jones led early, with a 30-26 advantage with 8:14 remaining in the first half and a 42-31 lead less than three minutes before halftime. The Bobcats maintained a 48-35 halftime edge. However, Itawamba responded in the second half, cutting the deficit to 62-60 with 12:22 remaining. The Indians surged ahead, leading 77-72 with under four minutes left, but Jones fought back to tie it at 81-81 at the end of regulation.

In overtime, the game was tied at 88-88 with 3:35 remaining. Jones took control, moving ahead 97-94 with 54 seconds to play and ultimately securing the victory. Key performers included Dylan Rowe, who posted a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Jay Tyler, with 24 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Wesley Lindsey scored a season-high 19 points, and Keron Jackson added 19 off the bench. Braylon Barnes contributed 17 points and six rebounds.

For Itawamba, Demarion Winston led with 36 points, followed by Jaden Harper with 18, Tim Holliday with 15, and DJ Davis with 13. Jones shot 49% from the field and made 34 of 43 free throws, while ICC shot 45% and was 24-for-29 from the foul line. The Bobcats outrebounded the Indians 42-38 and finished with 21 assists to 14 turnovers. ICC had 13 turnovers and 14 assists.

Jones, under fifth-year head coach Newton Mealer, has now won three straight region titles, a feat not achieved since the NJCAA regions were formed in 1949. The team advances to its third consecutive national tournament appearance.

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