LUFKIN — Palestine coach Bret Botard knows the key to winning in the postseason is defense and rebounding. Tuesday at Shands Gymnasium, his team did both.

Palestine used a big rebounding edge and good defense to go on a 15-1 run between the end of the third quarter and the halfway point of the fourth to build a 13-point victory en route to a 61-48 victory against Jasper in a Class 3A Region III bi-district playoff at Angelina College.

Palestine faces Robinson on Friday in the area round. That game will at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. at Corsicana High School.

Jarrell Owens played a huge role in the win, scoring four of his 12 points during that 15-1 run, while pulling down rebound after rebound to either end Jasper possessions or keep Wildcat possessions alive. He finished with nine boards.

Ben Luckett led Palestine with 13 points and six rebounds, while Shumauri Scott had a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards.

DeMarcus Collins led Jasper with 13 points. Malik Smith had 10 points and Dranzell Haynes added nine points and six rebounds.

One possession midway through the fourth quarter epitomized the game, with Palestine putting up three missed shots and Owens grabbing the offensive rebound every time. Eventually, C.J. Barrett found a cutting Butler for an up-and-under layup.

Meanwhile on the other end, Palestine was forcing Jasper into long jump shots that weren't falling, and Palestine kept the Bulldogs to single shots with its rebounding.

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