Charleston exacts revenge vs. Tigers

Central picked up a rare victory against Charleston earlier this season.

But the Tigers failed to make it two in a row over the Bluejays.

Perennial power Charleston moved into the semifinals of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament with Saturday night's 51-42 win at the Show Me Center.

Fourth-seeded Charleston will take on top-seeded Scott County Central on Monday, while No. 5 Central faces No. 8 Kelly in the fifth-place semifinals.

"We wanted to avenge that loss," Charleston coach Danny Farmer said. "I thought we played a good game."

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.comCape Central's Terrance Howarf, left, dribbles past Charleston's Jeremy Spencer in the first half of the Christmas Tournament Saturday at the Show Me Center.

The Tigers beat the Bluejays 51-46 in the SEMO Conference tournament earlier this month for their first win over Charleston since 1999.

Charleston (4-5) built an early lead in the rematch and never relinquished it as the Bluejays fought off numerous runs by the Tigers (4-5).

"For sure we wanted to get them back," Charleston senior forward Donald Dixon said.

The 6-foot-2 Dixon was the star of the game as he dominated inside against the taller Tigers, who featured 6-6 sophomore Zach Boerboom and bulky 6-4 senior Rick Russell.

Dixon scored a game-high 23 points, with all his field goals coming in the paint. He had only 12 points in the first meeting with Central.

"He's been doing that for us. He's a catalyst," Farmer said. "He's been the only offense we've had in a few games."

As strong as Dixon was, he needed plenty of help from his teammates after he ran into foul trouble.

Dixon's 13 first-half points staked the Bluejays to a 30-25 halftime lead, after they twice were ahead by 10 points in the second quarter.

Dixon scored seven quick points in the third quarter, but he picked up his third and fourth fouls within a 10-second span midway through the period.

"It was disappointing," Dixon said of having to leave the game. "I was heating up in it."

Charleston was up 37-30 when Dixon went to the bench. He stayed there for the rest of the quarter, yet the Bluejays increased their advantage to 43-34.

Dixon also sat out the first 4:30 of the final period, but the Bluejays held a 45-35 lead by the time he came back onto the court.

"They supported me," Dixon said of his teammates.

The Bluejays spent most of the fourth quarter running time off the clock, and the closest Central got was 46-40 in the final minute.

Five straight points by Charleston -- including a pair of free throws by Dixon -- iced the victory.

"We played hard and smart," Farmer said. "We played smart at the end. That was the big thing.

"If we had done that in earlier games, we might have won more of them."

Russell paced the Tigers with 13 points.

"I think we played all right," Central coach Drew Church said. "At crucial times they hit the baskets and we didn't. Dixon is a good player."

@z_agate_HSbasketball_linescore:Central101598--42

Charleston1614138--51

@z_agate_no tab_no indnt_bld ld:Central (42) -- Dylan Howard 2, Andrew Williams 9, Josh Harris 6, Kevin Casasola 6, Rick Russell 13, Zach Boerboom 6. FG 16, FT 9-18, F 18. (3-pointers: Harris 1. Fouled out: None)

Charleston (51) -- Antonio Riggens 2, Akeem Sharp 5, Mackenzie Ivy 6, Deonte Jones 7, Demarques McKeller 4, Donald Dixon 23, Chase McClendon 4. FG 21, FT 8-16, F 20. (3-pointers: Sharp 1. Fouled out: None)