Ryan Jackson can score in bunches, which is well documented by his 24.6 points per game average this season. The RB senior guard scored one of his more memorable baskets on Friday during the Bulldogs’ 67-65 Metro Suburban Conference win at Illiana Christian.
Tied at 65-all in the closing moments of the game, Jackson dribbled off a ball screen and nailed a game-winning, 17-foot jumper with two seconds remaining.
“Ryan took the shot at a perfect time,” said RB coach Tom McCloskey. “I wasn’t surprised at all he made it. Ryan is a great player having a tremendous senior year.”
The first half was far less dramatic and fun for the sluggish Bulldogs, who trailed the Vikings at the intermission.
“It was just one of those frustrating games,” McCloskey said. “We were turning the ball over too much and didn’t get enough loose balls to go our way. We just couldn’t get our game going in the first half.”
The Bulldogs (19-4, 11-0) started to find their rhythm in the second half by increasing the tempo of the game. Jackson (31 points, 6 rebounds) fueled the RB resurgence along with Alex Dziagwa (10 points, 9 rebounds), Nate Hanley (9 points) and Watoris Slater (8 points).
“We realized we had to turn it up in the second half,” Hanley said. “Ryan does a great job scoring and distributing the ball. All of us have been making shots this season.”
Although RB uncharacteristically struggled from beyond the arc against Illiana Christian (making 6 of 23 three-pointers), the Bulldogs shot a respectable 26-for-57 (45.6 percent) from the field and converted 9-of-12 free throws.
The Bulldogs routed Fenton 79-50 in another conference game last week. Dziagwa and Hanley scored 17 apiece for RB followed by Jackson’s 16 points.
“We played well against Fenton,” Jackson said. “We were able to take an early lead and extend it as the game went along.”
With one conference game remaining at rival Ridgewood, the Bulldogs’ bid for a perfect record in the Metro Suburban remains in tact.
Led by Dan McCloskey and Britt Davis, the 2004 RB boys basketball team was the last team to go undefeated in conference.
“It’s a goal we would like to reach on Friday [against Ridgewood],” Jackson added. “We have talked about the state playoffs, too. We have two tough games this week which will help us get ready for the playoffs.”
RB closes the regular season by traveling to Ridgewood (Friday, 7 p.m.). The Bulldogs open the postseason taking on the winner of North Grand vs. Juarez on March 1 at the Class 3A Nazareth Regional.