Charleston wins ninth straight with victory at Show-Me Champions Classic

ST. LOUIS — Charleston defeated St. Mary’s 96-77 in the Show-Me Champions Classic at Vashon High School on Saturday, Jan. 28.

The Bluejays (16-5) had now won nine straight games with the win over the Dragons (8-9).

“We played well against a team that was quicker than us,” said Charleston coach Jamarcus Williams. “We weren’t expecting that type of speed, but we responded and battled through it well. There were some big-time schools there and it was fun to be part of that event. We did a great job of handling the atmosphere. I’m pleased with the way our players are progressing this season. Even when shots aren’t falling, they’re still finding major ways to contribute to games.”

St. Mary’s jumped out to an early double-digit lead, but Charleston battled back and was able to establish a comfortable lead about halfway through the third quarter.

“We came out and played one possession at a time and by the end of the first quarter we were back on top,” Williams said.

Ko’Terrion Owen led the team with 24 points. He also had 14 rebounds, two assists and two steals. The Bluejays’ other top perf

ormers were Trey Stanback with 23 points, three rebounds, a steal and a block; Rico Coleman with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and a block; PJ Farmer with 13 points, 22 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block; Almareion Williams with six points, three assists and a steal; Tayshon Clark with four points, a rebound and an assist; and Davarious Williams with three points.

Zyree Collins scored a game-high 37 for St. Mary’s. Collins is the younger brother of St. Louis University star point guard Yuri Collins.

Charleston will face Hazelwood Central (9-9) in the Charleston Shootout at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4.

__CHARLESTON 96, ST. MARY’S 77__

St. Mary’s 25 14 14 24 — 77

Charleston 23 24 21 28 — 96

__Charleston (96) —__ Ko’Terrion 24, Trey Stanback 23, Rico Coleman 22, PJ Famrer 13, Almareion Williams 6, Tayshon Clark 4, Davarious Williams 3. FG: 34. FT: 22-32. F: 16. (3-pointers: Almareion Williams 2, Stanback 2, Davarious Williams 1. Fouled out: none.)