Charleston overtakes Central boys basketball team in SEMO Conference semis

~ The Bluejays overcame an eight-point lead and beat Central 59-50 in the semifinals

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Greg Tucker struggled through a tough shooting night Thursday.

But Charleston's standout senior guard turned in one of the game's biggest shots to help the Bluejays escape Central's upset bid.

Tucker's four-point play with just under five minutes left gave second-seeded Charleston the boost it needed to beat third-seeded Central 59-50 in the semifinals of the SEMO Conference boys basketball tournament.

Charleston will play top-seeded Sikeston, the three-time defending tournament champion, for the title at 8:30 p.m. today. Central faces fourth-seeded Notre Dame at 7 p.m. for third place.

Central's T.J. Tisdell puts up a shot against Charleston's Krushon Scott during the first quarter of their SEMO Conference tournament semifinal game Thursday in Sikeston, Mo. (Kristin Eberts)

"It was a tough game," Charleston coach Danny Farmer said. "I thought we kept our composure. We had some adversity and we responded well. We did what it took to get a 'W.'"

A contest that was tight most of the way saw Central lead 44-37 after three quarters. The Tigers (4-1) went ahead 45-37 in the opening minute of the final period.

The Bluejays (4-1) then turned up the pressure to rally. They broke a 47-47 tie when Tucker hit one of two free throws with 5 minutes, 23 seconds left. He then gave Charleston some breathing room.

Tucker missed from in close but stole the rebound away from a Central player. Tucker dribbled outside the 3-point arc and buried the shot. He was fouled on the play and converted the free throw for a 52-47 lead with 4:48 remaining.

"It really gave us the momentum," said Tucker, an all-stater who has signed to play basketball at Division I Northern Colorado.

Tucker made just three field goals, including two 3-pointers. He finished with 15 points, 10 coming in the fourth quarter.

"I struggled at first but I wasn't really worried about it," Tucker said. "I knew we were going to win."

That was in question most of the night as an inexperienced Central squad gave the experienced Bluejays all they could handle.

The Tigers finally succumbed during a fourth quarter that saw Charleston outscore Central 22-6.

"I think we did some good things. We have a lot to work on," Central coach Drew Church said. "They're an experienced team. They have seniors, guys who have been through the wars. We don't right now."

Church thought playing a team like Charleston was just what the Tigers needed after they had won each of their first four games by at least 14 points against less-than-steller opposition.

"This was a great game for us, a great learning experience for our kids," Church said.

T.J. Tisdell, a 6-foot-6 senior forward, dominated the smaller Bluejays inside to score 24 points. He was the only Central player to reach double figures.

"He's tough," Tucker said.

Senior guard Aaron Cassell led Charleston with 19 points. Junior guard Ryan Parham matched Tucker with 15 points.

The first half, which ended with Central ahead 25-22, featured nine lead changes, three ties and no advantage bigger than four points.

Central finished the third quarter on a 10-2 run, getting seven points from Tisdell, to build its 44-37 edge. Tisdell had 11 points in the period and 22 through three quarters before the Bluejays rallied.

"Charleston is a great team," Church said. "The good thing about basketball is we get to play again tomorrow night."

Central 9 16 19 6 -- 50

Charleston 13 9 15 22 -- 59

CENTRAL (50) -- Ross McClanahan 3, Vance Toole 9, Tim Booker 8, Garan Evans 3, T.J. Tisdell 24, Jamal Cox 3. FG 16, FT 15-25, F 22. (3-pointers: McClanahan 1, Toole 1, Booker 1. Fouled out: none)

CHARLESTON (59) -- Aaron Cassell 19, Ryan Parham 15, Greg Tucker 15, Jamaul Gray 6, Krushon Scott 2, Darrion Carter 2. FG 18, FT 16-22, F 20. (3-pointers: Cassell 3, Tucker 2, Gray 2. Fouled out: Scott)