Preview: Struggling Meridian Eagles Face Surging Jones Bobcats in Junior College Men’s Basketball

ELLISVILLE, Miss. (Interstat) — The Jones College Bobcats look to rebound from a rare loss when they host the struggling Meridian Community College Eagles in a men’s junior college basketball game Monday night.

Jones (16-8) enters the contest having won five of its last seven, but is coming off an 83-71 road loss to Pearl River on Thursday. The Bobcats’ offense, which has topped 95 points three times in the last month, will be a focal point against a Meridian squad that has allowed an average of 78.2 points per game this season.

A key player for the Bobcats is guard Dylan Rowe, who has been a consistent scoring and playmaking force. Rowe is averaging 19.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists over his last seven games, including a 31-point outburst against Holmes on Jan. 29. He logged 40 minutes and scored 18 points in the loss to Pearl River.

Meridian (2-13) is seeking momentum after snapping a six-game losing streak with a dramatic 70-69 home victory over Pearl River on Feb. 16. That win stands as a bright spot in a difficult season for the Eagles.

The Eagles will rely on forward Derek Byrd Jr., who is coming off a double-double performance with 10 points and 13 rebounds in 34 minutes in a close overtime loss to Copiah-Lincoln on Feb. 12. Byrd’s production on the glass will be critical against a physical Jones lineup.

The Bobcats won the first meeting this season, 116-96, on Dec. 15 in Meridian. Jones has dominated the recent series, winning the last five matchups.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the A.B. Howard Gymnasium. For Meridian, this begins a stretch of road games, with their next contest at Hinds on March 2. Jones will look to use this home game to solidify its standing before the postseason approaches.