JACKSONVILLE -- Jacksonville used a 23-point third-quarter and full-court pressure defense to overcome a resilient Tyler Lee squad in a 61-47 non-district win Tuesday.

Jacksonville's defense produced 16 steals, while Londedric Taylor scored a game-high 20 points to keep the Indians (8-0) unbeaten. The victory also gave the Tribe's senior class a 27-1 record at home.

Leading 20-16, Jacksonville used an 8-2 run to start the third when the full-court zone press defense got three quick steals. Taylor had a rebound and putback at the 5:30 mark, then Dadrian Franklin hit back-to-back three-pointers to push the Indians' advantage to 36-21, their biggest of the game. When Daytron Thompson got to the hoop with a jump-step move, Jacksonville led 41-28.

Tyler Lee (7-2) didn't quit. Christian Boone knocked down consecutive buckets, followed by back-to-back three-pointers by Caleb Johnston. A Taylor Tankersley free throw cut Jacksonville's lead to four points, 43-39.

But Jacksonville turned up its defensive intensity and reeled off eight consecutive points thanks to a Franklin steal, two Thompson free throws, and Taylor's three-point with 4:22 left for a 51-39 advantage.

"I told the guys at halftime that someone had to hit a shot," said Jacksonville coach Brent Kelley. "Our seniors are 27-1 at home, with their only loss being Tyler Lee. So this was circled on the schedule. It was ugly offensively, but if you come to one of our practices, the majority of it is defensive stuff. We played horrible offense in the first half and still had a four-point lead because we play great defense."

Tyler Lee's first-half zone defense kept the game close. Alternating from a 2-3 zone to a 1-2-2 zone helped the Red Raiders force three early Jacksonville turnovers and grab a 9-7 lead.

Jacksonville finished the second quarter on a 6-0 run when Thompson got a steal and was fouled driving to the hoop for a three-point play. Taylor then snagged a steal and dished to Kedarrius Buckingham for a layup, giving the Indians the lead heading into the half, 20-16.

Jacksonville's Thompson had 12 points and three steals, while Franklin added 11 points, six rebounds, and four steals. Raybon Riden added four steals as well.

Tankersley led Lee with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Johnston added eight points and three boards.

"I thought we did an overall decent job in the first half of handling the defensive pressure," said Lee coach Alan Johnston. "For us, what we got away from tonight was our defense. I think we labored a little bit in terms of our conditioning. We knew they were going to be pressing us, and so this becomes a very big opportunity for us to learn from this game. (Jacksonville) is a lot like Mesquite, and Mesquite Horn, and Longview. Very athletic. Give Brent credit, they are 8-0 for a reason."

Jacksonville opens the Fairfield tournament Thursday against Woden. Tyler Lee travels to Lufkin on Friday to face the Panthers.

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