Sports
Vicksburg’s Malik Franklin scored 23 points to lead Jones over Co-Lin

Vicksburg native Malik Franklin dominated last night for Jones College. Franklin scored a season-high of 23 points as he led the Bobcats to a 82-78 win over Copiah-Lincoln Community College.
Franklin is currently averaging 7.8 points per game for the Bobcats as he is currently in his sophomore year. He is a 2023 graduate of Vicksburg High School where he was VDN’s Player of the Year.
The Bobcats will travel to play East Mississippi Community College on Monday.
Story Below from Jones Athletics:
ELLISVILLE – Malik Franklin scored a season-high 23, LJ Hackman had 21 and Avery Thomas II his fourth double-double of the year as No. 7 Jones won a dogfight over Co-Lin, 82-78, Thursday night at A.B. Howard Gymnasium.
Jones has won 15 straight at home and is 11-0 this season.
Franklin stepped up in a big way after Dimp Pernell left with an injury early in the first half, scoring 11 points in the first and a dozen in the second.
Co-Lin came out firing and jumped ahead 10-3, eight of those coming from Deven Bates.
A barrage of threes from Ky Pernell, Dimp and Hackman tied the game at 16-16 with 13:20 left in the period.
Hackman’s defensive rebound and ensuing three-pointer gave Jones its first lead, 28-26, with 7:41 showing.
Back-and-forth down the stretch, a pair of PRince Ojukwu free throws gave Co-Lin a 43-42 halftime lead.
The Bobcats took a game-high 65-52 lead with just under 10 minutes to play before the Wolves ran off 23 of the next 34 points to make it a one-point game with under 2 minutes left.
A Bobcat turnover in their own backcourt led to a Ojukwu layup and 79-78 game with 9 seconds left.
Hackman would hit one of two free throws after an expected foul, and after a Co-Lin turnover and foul, Thomas would put the game away at the free throw line.
Ky added 11 points and Amillion Buggs six points, seven rebounds and four blocks. Jones’ bench outscored Co-Lin 25-2.
Dakotah Hillard had 28-10 for the Wolves and Bates 22-13.
Jones heads to East Mississippi Monday for a 7:30 tip.
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