Withstanding another second half comeback, Jesuit Dallas basketball remained unbeaten on the year with a 53-51 victory over Plano East on Tuesday evening at Plano East High School. The Rangers were anchored by a trio of double-digit performances and will begin Thursday's Bob Stras Knights of Columbus opener on a five-game winning streak.
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Junior
Julius Marble logged a season-high 15 points, shooting 5-of-15 from the floor and 5-of-7 from the free-throw line while also averaging the Rangers with seven rebounds. Seniors
Marcus Hill and
Michael Jankovich scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, anchoring a Jesuit guard contingent that converted 6-of-13 three-point attempts and 15-of-20 free throw attempts.
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Jankovich joined seniors
Reid Hatzmann and
Keagan Nwosu with three assists apiece while Hatzmann led the team with three blocks. Jesuit out-rebounded Plano West, 22-20, scoring 20 points in the paint and nine points off of 10 turnovers.
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How it Happened
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- The Rangers erupted out of the game, shooting 5-of-10 from the floor and 3-of-6 from behind the arc to take a 16-7 lead at the conclusion of the first quarter.
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- Plano East worked its way back into the contest by embarking upon a 13-7 run that lasted over seven minutes of game time. However, Marble converted a layup with six seconds remaining in the half to send Jesuit into the break holding a six-point lead.
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- Jesuit increased the lead to double digits by completing a 10-0 run early in the third quarter before the Panthers came roaring back. The Rangers cooled off, shooting 2-of-8 and turning the ball over three times while Plano East whittled away at the lead with a 17-4 run, tying the game at 37-37 with 1:38 remaining in the third quarter.
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- The Panthers took their first lead of the contest with 36 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The two teams traded leads until the 3:31 mark of the fourth when Plano East's Jackson David buried a big three-pointer to put the Panthers in position for the upset.
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- Jesuit responded with a game-clinching, seven-point run. Hatzmann, Jankovich and Marble all hit clutch free throws while Nwosu found Marble for a key layup with 2:23 remaining in the game.
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- Plano East had a shot at overtime after a foul was called on a made basket with one second remaining, but the intentional miss hit the chain above the basket for a dead ball rebound, allowing Jesuit to inbound and run out the clock.
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Inside the Numbers
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- One key component of Tuesday's contest was the foul trouble encountered by Plano East late in the contest. The Panthers committed 16 fouls in the contest compared to eight fouls called on the Rangers. In addition, six-foot seven-inch forward Keisean Weiber fouled out of the contest with 3:10 remaining in the fourth, leaving the Panthers without one of their tallest players down the stretch.
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- Tuesday's victory marks the second consecutive year that Jesuit Dallas was able to start the season with a 5-0 mark; last season the Rangers began the year 5-0 en route to a 23-11 overall record and UIL Region 2-6A Semifinal berth.
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Up Next
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Jesuit Dallas will welcome seven teams to Walsh Gymnasium for the 55
th Annual Bob Stras Knights of Columbus Tournament, scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30. The Rangers will battle San Antonio Memorial on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, December 1, Jesuit Dallas will host its annual Teddy Bear Toss. Ranger fans that attend Friday's contest (either at 3 or 7:30 p.m.) with a stuffed animal will be granted free admission. After Jesuit's first basket, fans will toss their teddy bears onto the court, which will then be collected and donated to local toy drives. Visit
www.JesuitRangers.org/KOC for more information regarding this weekend's tournament.
