LITTLE ROCK — Jacksonville point guard Justin McCleary is looking for his shot this season.
McCleary scored 30 points Saturday to lead the Red Devils to a 75-61 victory over Olive Branch, Miss., at the Battle of the Border at George Cirks Arena.
“I want Justin to score this year,” Jacksonville Coach Victor Joyner said. “He’s sacrificed his offense the last three years passing the ball to everyone else, and it is time to showcase what he can do.”
Baskets by McCleary and Keith Charleston helped Jacksonville jump out to a 9-3 lead early in the first quarter. Jacksonville led by as many as 22 points in the first half before five quick points by Sam Craft pulled Olive Branch within 39-22 going into halftime.
Craft made 6 three-pointers and was 9 of 10 from the line and led all scorers with 37 points.
“The scouting report said that he would pretty much score all of their points, but when [Michael] Jordan scored 60 or 70 the Bulls would lose,” Joyner said. “It’s hard for one guy to beat a whole team.”
Three three-pointers by Craft helped Olive Branch cut the lead to 50-42 with less than a minute left in the third quarter. McCleary answered with a bucket and two free throws in the final 30 seconds to give the Red Devils a double-figure lead they kept the rest of the way.
“We’ve got to learn not to reach in on the press and get those cheap fouls,” Joyner said. “Part of that is learning to play under these lights in games like these.”
Sports, Pages 27 on 12/02/2012