The Jefferson City Jays have struggled to close out games this season. They proved they could do it Friday.
The Jays didn't surrender a single point for the final 6:46 on their way to a 46-38 win against the Northwest Academy of Law Hornets at Fleming Fieldhouse, breaking a three-game losing streak.
It's the second time this season Jefferson City has held its opponent under 40 points.
"This year has had its ups and downs and we were most recently in one of those downs," Jays coach Blair Thompson said. "Tonight, hopefully, can be a positive that propels us forward going down the stretch for the rest of the year."
A one-handed slam for Wishon Warren with 6:46 remaining in the game gave the Hornets a 38-36 lead. The Hornets went 0-for-7 and committed two turnovers the rest of the way.
The Hornets finished the game with a 34-31 edge in rebounds, but the Jays only allowed three offensive boards during the Hornets' dry spell at the end.
"I thought the way we were able to hold them is because we finally started rebounding better," Thompson said. " I thought as the game went on we really tightened up on the glass and did some good things as far as limiting their opportunities for possession. That paid huge dividends and gave us chance to win."
DaMani Jarrett and Chuck Cooper each had six rebounds to lead the Jays. Kamari Balton grabbed five rebounds, including a tip-in with 1:26 left to make it 42-38.
Cooper scored all four of his points and collected four rebounds in the fourth quarter.
"A good spark off the bench," Thompson said of Cooper. "Two seniors really gave us good sparks tonight. Addison Brown in the first half came off the bench and did a lot of really good things - keeping balls alive and rebounding. Chuck came in and gave us a spark defensively and made some things happen."
Balton was the top scorer for the Jays with 13 points. Nilges had nine while Brennan Jeffries and Rae'Quan Davis each finished with six. Nine of the 10 Jays who played scored.
"I think that's when we're best, when we are balanced," Thompson said. "We've had guys with big games and just seemed not to get anything else somewhere, but we had a lot of guys get a little bit tonight. Generally that's going to pay dividends for us."
The Hornets only turned it over eight times, but their final one was key as Davis picked off a pass at midcourt and made both his free throws for the final points of the game with :27.9 on the clock.
"Just made a good play on a cross-court pass and really was good timing on it and a good heads-up play," Thompson said.
Jefferson City scored the first five points of the game but trailed 16-11 after committing six turnovers in the first quarter. The Jays gave it away seven times the rest of the way.
"I think we had a lot of unforced, careless turnovers early and we got settled down in the second half," Thompson said.
Jamarr Williams, who was one of three players to score 11 points for the Hornets, began the second quarter with a two-handed dunk.
Jefferson City took control of the quarter after that, scoring 12 of the next 14 points to take a 23-20 lead.
The Jays led 34-31 heading into the fourth quarter and only trailed once in the second half.
Jefferson City (7-10) returns to the court today in the Mobile On The Run Shootout at Cuba. The Jays will face Kirkwood at 2 p.m.
Kirkwood head coach Bill Gunn is a Cuba alum and was an assistant coach for the Jays when Thompson was a player.
"Coach Gunn does a good job," Thompson said. " I'm looking forward to going down there and playing on a neutral site. I think the guys will enjoy it as well. We'll try to see if we can build on some momentum and keep the ball rolling."
Jefferson City won the Friday's JV game 54-24.
Josh White led the Jays with 17 points while Jerry Jackson scored 10.
Jefferson City JV team is also part of today's shootout at Cuba, facing Kirkwood at 12:30 p.m.