Phil Jones’ Mount Carmel career seemed to be over in October when the senior guard tore the ACL in his left knee. He was told the recovery typically takes from eight months to a year.

Instead, less than four months later, Jones was crying tears of joy Friday night after making his season debut and scoring a pair of big baskets late to help the Caravan to a dramatic overtime win over Brother Rice.

“It feels great to be back,” Jones said. “I don’t even know what to say. I worked so hard for this. I’m glad to be back on the court with my team. It was a great win, a great team win.

“It’s a surreal moment. I never thought this would happen. Glory be to God. That’s all I can say.”

Behind a spirited boost from Jones, Mount Carmel rallied from a 14-point deficit in the second half to knock off the visiting Crusaders 72-67 in a Catholic League Blue game.

Junior guard DeAndre Craig poured in 30 points, including eight in OT, to lead Mount Carmel (24-4, 9-4). Angelo Ciaravino added 14 points and six rebounds, Elijah Jointer had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Anthony Ciaravino contributed nine points and seven rebounds.

Ahmad Henderson, who staged an entertaining duel with Craig in the backcourt all game, scored 31 points for Brother Rice (22-6, 10-3). Nick Niego added 12 points and Ryan Kenney chipped in six points and five rebounds.

Jones, who did not play in the first half, had five key points. He came up with a steal and a 3-point play to force a 56-56 tie with 2:37 left in regulation.

Then he scored on a fast break to help seal the victory, putting Mount Carmel ahead 68-62 with 35 seconds left in OT.

“It was a surprise to me that I played,” Jones said. “I needed to come in there and do what I could for the team. It means a lot to contribute like that and make plays. I’ve come so far.”

Mount Carmel coach Phil Segroves has seen the effort Jones put in to return to the floor much sooner than expected after suffering the injury in an open gym and having surgery in mid-October.

“Everybody saw, every single day, Phil Jones working on the side,” Segroves said. “He was working with our trainers, working on weights, doing everything he could possibly do to come back.

“He said he was going to be back and everyone doubted him, but he showed everybody differently.”

After Jones’ 3-point play, Henderson and Craig traded baskets to close regulation, with Craig tying it with 55 seconds to go.

Craig scored the first six points of OT.

He then came up with the victory-sealing play. Brother Rice had possession trailing 70-67 with under 10 seconds to go and tried to get the ball to Niego for a 3-pointer, but Craig intercepted the pass and went coast-to-coast to score.

“That’s my time to kill — my time to put the ball in the bucket,” Craig said of overtime. “I’ve got four guys with me who can do the same thing.”

Brother Rice led 39-25 early in the third quarter and 47-39 entering the fourth but could not hold on, suffering its fourth straight defeat.

“This might be the first time I’ve ever lost four games in a row, whether as a player or a coach,” Brother Rice coach Bobby Frasor said. “It’s not fun. It’s not a good feeling.

“But our guys have made plays all year in spots, and they need to cue those up in their minds because they’re going to make some big plays for us again.”