ELLISVILLE – What a way to open the home half of the 2019 schedule!
No. 11 Jones College edged previously undefeated and No. 4 Chipola College (Florida) 72-71 here Friday afternoon at A.B. Howard Gymnasium.
The win improves Jones to 9-1, while Chipola falls to 15-1.
Jones held that 1-point lead and Chipola had ball possession for the final shot. The Lady Indians missed, but the Lady Bobcats were called for a foul with .5 seconds to play.
Chipola's Valerie Nesbitt went to the line and with the raucous home crowd yelling loudly, she missed both foul shots and Jones secured the victory.
The Lady Indians led 63-57 with just over six minutes to play, but Jones battled back and took a 64-63 lead with 3:34 showing when Breonca Ducksworth (West Jones) made two free throws. After a 3-pointer by Chipola, Maya Jones (Northwest Rankin) hit two foul shots to tie the game at 66-66 with 3:00 to play.
Maya Jones then scored off an offensive rebound to give the Lady Bobcats a 68-66 lead with 2:34 to play.
After a Chipola miss, Jones got the rebound. Maya Jones was fouled taking a shot and the Lady Indians were then called for a technical foul. Keyara Jones (Heidelberg) made the two technicals and Maya Jones made one free throw to give the Lady Bobcats a 71-66 lead with 1:31 remaining.
After another Chipola 3-pointer, Maya Jones was fouled. She made the first and the second shot was disallowed because of a lane violation, leaving the Lady Bobcats with a 72-69 lead with 40.5 seconds to play.
The Lady Indians then scored with 25 seconds to go to make it 72-71. Maya Jones was fouled with 17.7 seconds to play and missed both foul shots.
Chipola got the rebound and called timeout with 14.4 seconds to play. They missed a 3-pointer, but got the rebound and Jones was called for the foul with .5 seconds left, setting up the exciting finish.
Jones held the upper hand for most of the game.
The Lady Bobcats jumped out to an 8-2 lead and held a 17-14 advantage after the first quarter.
It was 26-23 midway through the second quarter when Jones closed the half on a 9-2 run. Jatyjia Jones' (Ingomar) basket at the buzzer gave the Lady Bobcats a 35-25 halftime lead.
Baskets by LaMiracle Sims (Moss Point) and Keyara Jones to start the third quarter would give the Lady Bobcats its longest lead at 39-25 with 9:00 left.
Another Keyara Jones goal put the Lady Bobcats ahead 49-39 with 3:22 left in the third quarter.
But Chipola would go on a 9-0 run and cut the lead to 49-48 with 1:36 left in the quarter. The game would be tied 52-52 after three quarters.
The Lady Indians would take its longest lead at 63-57 with just over six minutes remaining before the Lady Bobcats rallied for the win.
Keyara Jones paced the Lady Bobcats with 19 points. Maya Jones added 13 and Destiny Haymer (Holmes County Central) had 12.
Courtajia Sanders had 26 points for Chipola. Nesbitt added 18 and Lyric Turner had 11.
The Lady Bobcats resume MACJC South Division play with a 5:30 p.m. home game on Thursday vs. Hinds.
The Lady Indians host Tallahassee Community College on Wednesday.
Friday's game
Ellisville
A.B. Howard Gymnasium
No. 11 Jones College 72, No. 4 Chipola College (Florida) 71
Chipola College (15-1) 14 11 27 19 – 71
Jones College (9-1) 17 18 17 20 – 72
CHIPOLA (71)– Courtajia Sanders 26, Valerie Nesbitt 18, Lyric Turner 11, Namiko Adams 6, Dekeriya Patterson 6, Ana Carolina Bernardo 2, Kitumaini Croyance 2.
JONES COLLEGE (72)– Keyara Jones 19, Maya Jones 13, Destiny Haymer 12, Jatyjia Jones 9, LaMiracle Sims 7, Breonca Ducksworth 7, Chyna Allen 3, Kyia Weathersby 2.
Photo 1
The 11th-ranked Lady Bobcats celebrate their 72-71 win over previously undefeated and No. 4 rated Chipola College (Florida) Friday afternoon.
Photo 2
Jones College's Keyara Jones (2) looks to make a play during Friday's 72-71 win over No. 4 Chipola College (Florida).
Photos/Catherine Hunter, Jones Student Publications
Story By: Shawn Wansley
Jones College Athletics