By Randy Hammons sports@laurelleadercall.com
ELLISVILLE — Unlike in previous games, Jones County Junior College maintained its intensity throughout Thursday’s South Division basketball game against Copiah-Lincoln Community College.
The 108-79 final result was indicative of how dominant the Bobcats were from start to finish. The Bobcats, who improved to 13-7 overall and 7-2 in South Division play, led 52-36 at halftime. By the 11:45 mark of the second half, the Bobcats led 72-51 after Torrey Brown’s basket.
On the strength of an 8-0 run midway through the second half, the Bobcats built a 24-point lead. A Glen Collins trey from the top of the key put the Bobcats up 82-58.
Reserve Brandon “Banjo” Wilson led the Bobcats in scoring with 21 points. Fellow reserves, Nic Combs and Rico Rankins, each produced 14. Reserve Tyrone Brinson had 10.
“We took care of home court. I thought Brandon Wilson came out really ready to play and that gave us a boost,” said JCJC men’s coach Don Skelton.
Justin Buxton’s jumper in the lane pushed the hosts over the century mark for a 101-73 lead with 2:05 to play.
“I’m proud we maintained a lead and pushed the lead up instead of letting it go backward like we have had a tendency to do,” Skelton said.
Co-Lin, 5-15, 3-6, was paced in scoring by Marcus Hooten’s 30 points. Michael Campbell scored 23 and Anthony Evans added 13.
In the women’s game, Co-Lin, which is ranked No. 4 in the national junior college poll, ran out to a 39-24 lead at halftime and went on to win 87-72.
JCJC dropped to 15-5 and 6-3. Co-Lin improved to 20-0 and 9-0.
Co-Lin’s biggest lead was 28 points (73-45) with 7:53 left after Naketa Roberts nailed a trey.
But the Lady Bobcats forced some turnovers and actually cut the lead to 13 (83-70) with 56.4 seconds to play after Erica Moore’s two free throws.
JCJC’s Taneka Carey scored a game-high 33 points on 12-of-29 shooting from the field, including 5-of-16 from 3-points range. Ashley Lee and Erica Moore both had 10 points. Lee also had nine rebounds.
Rachel Vigers and Brandi Simmons both scored 21 for Co-Lin. Latoria Holder added 13 and Paige Webster had 11.
Next up for JCJC is Southwest Mississippi Community College on Monday. The women’s game begins at 5 p.m.
