HIGH SCHOOL: INDIANS WEAR DOWN HAWKS FOR 85-61 WIN

BENTON, Mo. -- The Jackson Indians' pressure defense eventually wore down the stubborn Kelly Hawks.

Jackson, outscoring the Hawks 29-9 in the third quarter, broke open a close game to hand winless Kelly an 85-61 loss on Friday night.

The Indians improved to 3-1, while the Hawks fell to 0-4.

Holding only a 32-31 lead at the intermission, the Indians turned up the heat in the third quarter. Showing superior quickness and increased intensity on defense, Jackson held Kelly scoreless for six minutes of the third stanza.

Speaking of his team's high energy defense , Jackson coach Mike Kiehne said, "That's something our team is going to have to do. We're going to have to learn to play that way if we're going to be successful."

As a result, the Indians upped their lead to 60-39 by the end of the period.

Brad Hilbert was the catalyst for the Indians with 10 of his game-high 21 points coming during the big third-quarter explosion.

Four other Indians scored in double figures in the up-tempo, fast paced contest.

Nathan Brown and Lance Bollinger had 16 points apiece, while Matt Ferrell added 13 and Seth McDowell chipped in with 10.

But it was the defense that keyed the Indian victory.

"I wasn't very pleased with our pressure in the first half," said Kiehne, "but we really upped our intensity level in the second half and were able to get some steals and easy baskets. At the same time we started to get hot from the outside and that always helps out."

Adding to Kelly's woes, was a huge disparity at the free-throw line. Jackson went to the line 35 times, hitting 26, while the Hawks were only 7-of-8.

"We just got tired," said Kelly coach Nick Lanpher. "We made a lot of those fouls just reaching in, not moving our feet on defense. If you're not physically ready, maybe that affects your mental outlook also."

Lack of conditioning -- and the Indian defense -- seemed to be a problem for the Hawks on offense as well, as they committed 30 turnovers, compared to Jackson's 14.

Leading the Kelly scoring were Michael Romas with 16 points, while Brett Burger had 14 and Jon Heuring had 11.

Jackson' junior varsity romped over Kelly 62-31.

Jeffrey Beck paced the Indians with 14 points, while Matt McComas had 11.

Chris Glastetter led Kelly with eight points.