Senior Max Abmas tied his career-high scoring total while a career-high outing from junior Eli Steger helped the Rangers stay unbeaten in district play with a 65-55 win over Plano on Saturday at Walsh Gym. Jesuit scored 20 points off of 17 Plano H.S. turnovers and close out the winter break in a tie for first place in the district with McKinney.
 
Abmas buried four three-points, shot 9-of-16 from the floor and converted 9-of-10 opportunities from the free-throw line while adding a team-leading four steals. Steger added seven points and seven rebounds, securing two of the team's four offensive rebounds which helped lead to eight second-chance points. Sophomore Gavin Perryman shot 6-of-7 for 13 points while junior Darryl Brown added a team-leading three blocks.
 
A first quarter dominated by defense resulted in Plano taking a 15-13 lead as the Wildcats closed the opening eight minutes on a 10-4 run. Plano increased the lead to seven points with 3:55 remaining in the half before Jesuit closed the half on a 7-3 run capped by a layup from Abmas at the buzzer.
 
The Rangers erupted out of the halftime break, taking the lead back with 6:12 remaining in the third as part of a 12-5, quarter-opening run. Jesuit shot 7-of-8 in the third quarter, hitting a trio of three-pointers to win the quarter, 19-9 and take a 45-37 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
Plano cut the lead to five with 6:31 remaining, but Jesuit regained control by holding Boyd to only one field goal attempt over the following 3:33 to take a 10-point lead with 2:58 left. Jesuit went 10-for-10 from the free-throw line over the final 1:17 to clinch the win.
 
Jesuit will travel to McKinney on Tuesday, Jan. 8 in a battle of the two teams currently tied for first place in the district. The Rangers will return to Walsh Gym on Friday, Jan. 11 to battle Plano East.