The Hinds Community College Bulldogs rallied from a late 10-point deficit to beat Jones College on Friday as the Region 23 playoff game Thursday, April 1. 

Leading the way for Hinds in the 71-69 victory was sophomore guard Demerius Wash, of Canton, who poured in 22 points to go with nine rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots. Sophomore guard Jordan Johnson, of Memphis, added 19 points and five assists. The Bulldog backcourt rounded out its performance with freshman guard Kyle Hayman's 11 points. 

The win capped off an exhilarating 11-2 regular season for the Bulldogs.

"Man what a game," head coach Yusef Fitzgerald said. "Knowing this team and what they fight through everyday, this game didn't surprise me. Being down 10 with an opportunity to fold, they came together to come back and take the lead by getting some stops on the defensive end and timely baskets on offense. That Jones team had won five or six in a row and is a tough, well-coached team. So, getting this win at home to keep our seed in the playoffs was huge. Damerius Wash has been tremendous for us all year and he came through once again. He just plays so hard and comes through for us in so many categories. It was a pleasure to see Justyn King and Kyle Hayman play well because we needed all hands we could get to contribute in this one. Finishing the regular season 11-2 was tremendous with the league being so tough. Now, we have to gear up for the playoffs and take it one game at a time."

The Bulldogs host a first-round playoff game 6 p.m. Thursday and play the winner of the East Central/Southern-Shreveport game. Both those teams enter the contest with records of 3-11.

Jones finished the year 6-5 with the loss and hosts 7-7 Northwest Mississippi Community College in its first-round playoff game.