Charleston makes a statement with a one-sided semifinal win

The Charleston Bluejays had a message for doubters going into Saturday's seMissourian Christmas Tournament semifinal.

Their top seed was no fluke.

If Oran had doubts, Charleston's 79-51 defeat of the fifth-seeded Eagles made that message loud and clear.

"We wanted everyone to know we're legit," Bluejays coach Danny Farmer said.

As a result, Charleston (9-2) will face second-seeded Notre Dame (6-2) for the championship at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Charleston jumped to a 6-0 lead and had four different scorers help establish an early 10-2 lead. Oran got six first-quarter points from backup forward Patrick Friga to keep the score close early with Charleston taking a 17-12 lead into the second quarter.

The second quarter belonged to the Bluejays' defense. Charleston forced Oran players to adjust shots and forced the Eagles into turnovers and bad passes with their full court pressure.

On offense Charleston continued to get contributions from a variety of players. Center Kewain Gant hit a couple of baskets down low, and reserve forward Dramel Jones picked up five points late in the quarter to extend the Bluejays' lead to 16 as the second quarter came to an end.

Farmer said he was happy with the unselfish play of his team.

"We worked the ball, and we believe in each other," he said. "We played good together. That's what it takes to achieve what we want to achieve."

The Bluejays put an exclamation point on their first-half defensive effort with a big rejection by 5-foot-11 Dadrian Jones on Eagles scoring star Nathan Seyer as the second quarter clock ran out. The Eagles only managed eight first half field goals, and couldn't get anything going from 3-point range.

Gant started the third quarter blocking every shot he saw. Gant denied the Eagles on three straight trips down the floor early in the third.

Farmer said it's not uncommon for Gant to put up big block numbers considering he averages seven blocks a game.

"He just has a knack for blocking shots," Farmer said.

Gant said his blocks are just a result of good team defense.

"We just try to play good team defense, and help each other out," he said.

Joshua Strayhorn and Trentez Lane did a good job of running the floor and making things happen in the third, scoring four points each. Deshaundry Hamilton's drive and basket late in the third put the Bluejays up 21, and from there the Eagles could get no closer than 51-32.

"We wanted to make a statement," Farmer said. "We wanted to get to the championship and defend our title."

Oran's struggles from the field continued. Garrett Roslen came off the bench to score eight of the Eagles 12 third quarter points. Oran's top outside threat Ryne Wood hit his first field goal late in the third, which ended up being his only points from the floor in what was a frustrating night from the floor. Wood finished with seven points in the game.

Tempers flared in the fourth quarter when Hamilton pulled down Wood after the two players got tied up. Hamilton was hit with the technical, as the referees calmed both sides down.

Hamilton's technical was about all that went wrong for the Bluejays. Point guard Marcus Biles' 3-pointer with 2:36 left made the score 73-46, and marked the end of the night for the Bluejays' starters.

Farmer said he couldn't have asked for much more from his team.

"I was pleased with our effort defensively and offensively," he said.

Lane led the balanced Bluejays' offense with 14 points. Hamilton added 12, Gant had 13 and Ashton Farmer had 10.

Seyer led the Eagles with 14. Roslen finished with 12.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 171