In an electric, back-and-forth affair, Jesuit Dallas withstood a 19-4 Berkner run spanning two quarters with an exciting, 18-7 run of its own in the third and fourth, in a 68-60 victory over the Rams in University Interscholastic League (UIL) District 9-6A action Friday evening.
 
Senior Mitch Prendergast scored seven of the team's first 11 points, finishing with a team-leading 19-points to anchor the Jesuit effort. In total, four Rangers logged double-digit performances, including 15 points from junior Marcus Hill, 11 points from senior Alan Garcia and a 10-point outing by sophomore Max Abmas. Garcia fell two rebounds short of a double-double with a team-high eight boards, helping Jesuit (14-7, 3-2 UIL 9-6A) out-rebound the Rams (13-9, 2-3), 22-18.
 
Junior Reid Hatzmann led the team with five assists, and Jesuit shot 9-of-23 from three-point range, holding Berkner to 3-of-15 from behind the arc. Jesuit outscored Berkner, 27-18, in the fourth quarter to pick up a key road win in district play.
 
The Rangers erupted out of the gate with 11 unanswered points, taking an 11-point advantage into the second quarter. Berkner shot 50 percent in the second to end the half on a 17-8 run, spotting the Blue and Gold a one-possession lead at the break. The Rams continued to harness momentum after halftime, taking their first lead of the game with 6:33 remaining in the third.
 
A 13-4, second half-opening run handed Berkner a seven-point lead, but the Rangers began to cut into the advantage throughout the third. Hatzmann tipped-in a missed field goal attempt as the third quarter buzzer sounded, closing the gap to one point. The junior's tip-in sparked Jesuit to a 21-8 run over the next 6:30 of game time, spotting the Rangers a double-digit lead with 2:40 left in regulation.
 
Six unanswered points brought Berkner to within striking range, but Jesuit finished the game on an 8-4 run to squash the home team's comeback aspirations.
 
Next week, Jesuit will take on the two top teams in UIL District 9-6A, first traveling to Richardson High School to battle the Eagles on Tuesday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. before welcoming Skyline to Walsh Gymnasium on Friday, January 20.