Dominant finish fuels Jackson to fifth straight win

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Jackson used a 10-0 run at the start of the fourth quarter to put away Charleston 52-40 on Tuesday, remaining undefeated in SEMO Conference play.

The game was nip-and-tuck throughout with the Bluejays holding the ball for the last shot of the third quarter, trailing just 35-33.

However, they were only able to get a Ko’Terrion Owens desperation corner 3-pointer that was well off the mark, leaving the Indians holding a slim two-point margin.

Jackson wasted no time, running off 10 straight points to open the final quarter, capped by a thunderous slam dunk from senior Judd Thoma to make it 45-33.

With a double-digit lead, Jackson began to spread the floor and bleed the clock. Charleston got two steals and cut the lead to 47-38 on a free throw from Tayshon Clark, but that was as close as the Bluejays would get.

Jackson (13-6) was led by junior Kole Deck who finished with 16 points. Thoma and fellow senior Blayne Harris each finished with 12 points while Gavin Holdman scored nine points and grabbed 15 rebounds.

Charleston (10-11) was led by Owens who finished with 13 points. Zachyran Thomas added 11 points.

With the win, Jackson improves to 5-0 in the SEMO Conference and will host Oakville (3-8) on Friday while Charleston falls to 3-3 in the SEMO Conference and will host Principia on Saturday in the 6th Man Shootout.

 __JACKSON 52, CHARLESTON 30__

Jackson 12 12 11 17 — 52

Charleston 8 13 12 7 — 40

JACKSON (52) – Kole Deck 16, Judd Thoma 12, Blayne Harris 12, Gavin Holdman 9, Kolton Thoma 3. FG 20, FT 8-10, F 15. (3-pointers: Deck 1, Harris 1, Holdman 1, K. Thoma 1. Fouled out: none)

CHARLESTON (40) – Ko’terrion Owens 13, Zachyran Thomas 11, Deshaun Henderson 6, Shylin Henderson 5, Treshaun Schandon 4, Tayshon Clark 1. FG 14, FT 10-13, F 17. (3-pointers: S. Henderson 1, Schandon 1. Fouled out: none)