Photo - Walt Rybczynski

JAMESTOWN - In their first game back from the holiday break, the Jamestown Community College men's basketball team dropped a nail-biter against Butler County Community COllege by a score of 62-1 Wednesday evening.

The Jayhawks (6-10) were led by sophomore guard/forward Bam Toure (Jamaica, NY/St. Johns Prep) with 11 points off the bench. Sophomore guard/forward Josiah Ransom (Birmingham, AL/Helena HS) and freshman forward Josiah Diaz (Pawtucket, RI/Springfield Commonwealth Academy) added 10 points each in the effort. Sophomore Traden Gray (Frewsburg, NY/Frewsburg HS) grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds (5 offense, 6 defense).

BC3 jumped out to a quick 18-9 lead in the first eight minutes of action, but JCC chipped away at the lead. Down nine, the Jayhawks went on a 13-0 run to give themselves the 23-18 lead. In the run, Gray led the way with six points with three other Jayhawks getting in on the scoring.

Both teams traded punches over the next five minutes until the break, with neither gaining more than a two possession advantage. After a Diaz basket tied the game at 32-32 with over 30 seconds to go before the half, Derrick Anderson made his three-pointer to give the Pioneers the 35-32 after a half of action.

BC3 opened the second half on a 16-7 run to give them the 51-39 lead over an eight minute span.

The Pioneers grew their lead to as many as 17 points late in the game but the Jayhawk defense was able to come together, holding BC3 in a five minute span. During that span, JCC scored eight straight to take the lead of 61-60 as sophomore guard Chad Chambers (Calera, AL/Calera HS) found Gray for the layup with eight seconds remaining in regulation.

Bedding a basket, the Pioneers drove the lane in the final seconds as Anderson was fouled. Heading to the free throw line, Anderson knocked-down the pair to give BC3 the 62-61 lead with three seconds remaining. Chambers had a shot at the score but hit the back of the iron and out.

The Jayhawks went 27-for-64 (42.2 percent) from the field with BC3 going 20-for-52 from the floor. JCC held the advantage on the glass, grabbing 45 rebounds to the Pioneers' 28 boards.

The Jayhawks will be off until Saturday, January 21st, as they host Erie Community College for a 3 p.m. tip.