BOBCATS HOST JAGUARS IN JUNIOR COLLEGE HOOP CLASH

JONES, Miss. (Interstat) — The Jones Bobcats look to get back on track when they host the Southern-Shreveport Jaguars in a men’s junior college basketball matchup Monday night.

Jones (7-5) returns from a lengthy holiday break following a 101-81 road loss to Gulf Coast State on Dec. 13. The Bobcats’ most recent outing before that was a narrow 116-114 double-overtime home defeat to Mississippi Gulf Coast on Dec. 8. Prior to those setbacks, Jones had won three straight, showcasing an offense that has regularly scored in the 90s this season.

Southern-Shreveport (4-5) enters having snapped a two-game skid with an 82-80 home victory over Coastal Alabama on Dec. 19. The Jaguars were led in that win by Kevin Kirk, who posted 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Tayshaun Gilchrist, who added 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

The Jaguars have struggled on the road this season, with a 1-4 record in true away games. Their lone road win came at Hinds, 76-72, on Dec. 2. Consistency has been an issue, as evidenced by a 53-point outing in a loss at Bishop State one day before their most recent win.

Jones holds the better overall record and has been more potent offensively, but the extended layoff for both teams adds an element of uncertainty. The Bobcats will aim to leverage home court advantage, where they are 3-2 this season.

For Southern-Shreveport, containing Jones’s scoring depth while getting continued production from its frontcourt of Kirk and Gilchrist will be key. The Jaguars have shown an ability to win close games, with three of their four victories coming by six points or fewer.

This contest represents the final non-conference tune-up for Jones before it opens its Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference schedule next week. Southern-Shreveport continues its road swing before its next home game Thursday.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CST at the Bobcats’ home arena.