West Monroe, La. — It was a no-doubter Tuesday night as Ruston High (10-2) dominated West Monroe (7-11) on the road winning 79-42 thanks to unmatched offensive firepower by the Bearcats with 30 of their point total coming in the third quarter.
“After our halftime speech to them, they got it together and we went out and put them away,” Ruston High Head Coach Marcus Jackson said. “I liked the intensity that I saw in that third quarter. We mashed the gas in the first quarter and then (West Monroe) went on a little run when our intensity was down, but I liked what we did in the third. Tonight, we moved the ball around and got it to open guys, and they had fun.”
Ruston jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead thanks to baskets from both sophomores Darren Ford and Kohl Gray before junior KeShun Malcolm knocked down a three-pointer with 6:25 to go in the first.
Following three thunderous dunks from junior Ahmad Hudson over the next few minutes, Ruston took a 17-7 lead into the second quarter.
Ford then took over the second quarter nearly by himself, scoring 10 points on four made baskets and a pair of free throws, and helped Ruston to a 39-25 lead going into the halftime lockerroom after a buzzer beater by Malcolm to end the quarter.
Not to be outdone by the first half, Ruston’s offense exploded for 30 points in the third period, thanks in large part to Malcolm’s 11 points off of a trio of three-pointers. And with 2:47 left to play in the third quarter, Ford knocked down a three-pointer of his own to set up a running clock for the remainder of the night as Ruston went up 64-28.
Malcolm led all scorers with 20 points, while Ford was right behind with 19.
Due to scheduling rules, the game will not count as an official District 2-5A contest.
Jackson said he is pleased with how his team is progressing now that the full roster (including the football players) are in basketball mode.
“I just got this group of guys two-and-a-half weeks ago,” Jackson said. “We just been kind of going with the flow, but they enjoy being around each other and in practice, they’re getting to understand the different reads that we’re making.”
The Bearcats will open District 2-5A play officially on Friday, Jan. 16, at Pineville.
