Entering the game ranked fifth in the state according to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, Skyline outscored Jesuit, 17-4 in the fourth quarter, to escape the Rangers' upset bid, 46-24, on Friday at Walsh Gymnasium.
 
Senior Mitch Prendergast scored a team-leading 15 points, hitting four three-pointers to finish the game 5-of-9 from the field. Junior Reid Hatzmann added four rebounds and four assists, while junior Marcus Hill dragged down three boards. Jesuit (15-8, 4-3 UIL 9-6A) were hampered by 14 turnovers, which in turn led to 16 Skyline points. In addition, the Raiders (22-1, 6-1 UIL 9-6A) out-rebounded Jesuit, 21-15.
 
Prendergast hit two three-pointers to give Jesuit a lead five minutes into the first quarter, but the Raiders took a one-point lead into the second. After Prendergast hit his third three-pointer of the game to hand Jesuit a 10-9 lead with 6:07 left in the half, Skyline erupted for a 9-2 run to take a three-possession lead. Junior Michael Jankovich scored as the halftime buzzer sounded to cut the Raider advantage to 18-14 heading into the break.
 
Skyline took control of the game in the second half, beginning the third shooting 5-of-8 to take a double-digit lead. Opening the fourth with a 5-0 run, the Raiders responded to Prendergast's fourth three-pointer with a game-breaking, 12-0 run that ended Jesuit's upset aspirations.
 
Next Tuesday, Jesuit will welcome Coppell to Walsh Gymnasium for a key UIL District 9-6A battle. Tip-off on Jan. 24 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on JesuitRangers.org.