FULTON – The Southwest Lady Bears saw their dreams of an MACJC state basketball championship come to an end Thursday in Fulton as they dropped a heartbreaking 75-73 decision to South Division foe Jones County.

The Lady Bears’ season is not over, however, as they will still advance to next week’s NJCAA Region 23 Tournament at Mississippi College in Clinton. They will face East Mississippi Wednesday night at 6 p.m.

The game was tight the entire way. In the first half, the Lady Bears (19-7) trailed 20-13 with 9:48 on the clock. They then went on an 11-4 run to take a 26-24 lead on Katrina Littlepage’s three-pointer. But, the Lady Bobcats regained the lead and held a one-point advantage, 36-35, at the half.

Trailing 51-50 with 11:51 left in the game, the Lady Bears went on a 17-7 run and took a 67-58 lead on a jumper by Littlepage with 6:04 to go. She added a free throw with 2:42 left to make the score 71-65.

Jones County (19-7) would not be denied. After a jumper by Tee Myers put the Lady Bears up 73-72 with 0:24 to play, the Lady Bobcats took a 75-73 lead when Caitlyn Spane completed an old-fashioned three-point play. A last-second shot by Talisa Sherman just missed its mark and allowed the Lady Bobcats to escape with the win.

“The Lady Bears played with great heart tonight,” said Southwest head coach Brent Harris. “However, we hurt ourselves by not blocking on every possession. We fought the good fight (but) we fell a little short. We are hurting right now, but we will bounce back in the regional.”

Littlepage led all scorers with 26 points in the game while Sherman was also in double figures with 16. Madison Mault netted eight points, Myers and April Levy both scored seven and Courtney Epting added four.

Raven Reyes got on the board with four points and Fredrikah Wilson recorded two. The Lady Bears made 22 of 32 free throws.

Crystal Clay had 17 points to lead Jones County. The Lady Bobcats hit 24 of 36 charity shots.