Short-handed Indians fall to Charleston in third-place game

It's common knowledge that this year's Charleston team is not a vintage Bluejays powerhouse.

You'd have a hard time convincing Jackson.

Fourth-seeded Charleston overwhelmed No. 3 Jackson, winning 65-52 in Tuesday's third-place game of the 64th annual Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

"I felt like Charleston played well," Jackson coach Darrin Scott said. "Every time we'd get close, they'd hit a big shot."

Charleston coach Danny Farmer had few complaints after the Bluejays bounced back from Monday's 87-55 semifinal loss to top-seeded Scott County Central.

"We played good tonight. We got after it," Farmer said. "Jackson is a very good team. I was pleased to get a double-digit lead."

The Bluejays (5-6) have struggled offensively much of the season, but they had one of their top shooting performances against Jackson (5-4).

Charleston got its usual strong play from senior forward Donald Dixon, who scored 18 points and finished among the tournament's top scorers with 69 points.

"He's been our man. He's our man most of the time," Farmer said. "We've been waiting to get him some help."

That help arrived in the form of senior guard Antonio Riggens, who added 16 points.

"He stepped up," Dixon said.

Said Farmer: "We shot it better tonight. Riggens shot it better."

Sophomore forward Bobby Clark paced Jackson with 20 points.

Junior forward Lucas Davis had 11 points and junior guard Kyle Keith added 10.

Charleston, which trailed only briefly all game, led 29-24 at halftime.

Jackson closed to 37-36 midway through the third quarter, but the Bluejays ended the period on a 12-2 run to go ahead 49-38.

The Bluejays scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to lead 54-38, and they coasted home.

"We picked our defense up," Dixon said of the second-half dominance. "We played relaxed and took our time doing things."

Farmer liked the Bluejays' play in the tournament despite the blowout loss to powerful Scott County.

"We've played a tough schedule and we couldn't guard Scott County," Farmer said. "But we're really improving. We're 10 times better than early in the year.

"We had a good tournament. We played four good games. We played hard."

Said Dixon: "We came out 3-1. That's good for us. We're coming together as a team."

Scott also had little to complain about after his defending champions finished fourth.

Jackson played its final two tournament games — both losses — without leading scorer Marcus Harris. The senior guard has pneumonia.

"We did a lot of positives," Scott said. "We're young, but this will help us. We just have to get better."

Jackson10141414—52

Charleston17122016—65

Jackson (52) — Taylor Williams 1, Holt Walker 2, Kyle Keith 10, Lucas Davis 11, Zach McDowell 2, Eli Gohn 6, Bobby Clark 20. FG 20, FT 8-12, F 12. (3-pointers: Keith 3, Davis 1. Fouled out: None)

Charleston (65) — Antonio Riggins 16, Akeem Sharp 5, Terrell Smith 1, Mackenzie Ivy 9, Deonte Jones 8, Demarques McKeller 6, Donald Dixon 18, Chase McClendon 2. FG 24, FT 10-14, F 11. (3-pointers: Riggens 2, Ivy 2, Jones 2, Dixon 1. Fouled out: None)