WEST MEMPHIS - Jonesboro senior guard Kahron Ross had an answer for every West Memphis run in the second half.

Ross, a Lehigh University signee, scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half, including four consecutive free throws in the same sequence with 4:16 left in the fourth quarter to lead the Hurricane to a 62-47 victory over West Memphis.

Ross was limited to two field goals in the first half, but he made 4 of 5 shots in the third quarter and sank four free throws in the fourth quarter after West Memphis had cut a 17-point Hurricane lead to 10.

Ross was fouled near midcourt after a Marquise Pointer free throw made it 55-45 while coaxing a technical foul from West Memphis’ Dannie Gatewood. Ross’ four shots made it 59-45 Jonesboro.

“Kahron’s our leader and he usually steps up when we need him to,” Jonesboro Coach Wes Swift said. “West Memphis was making it a game and Kahron stayed calm through the whole deal.”

Ross and Pointer, who led all scorers with 24 points, combined for 45 of 62 points for Jonesboro (13-2, 1-0 7A/6AEast).

West Memphis (6-6, 0-1) outscored Jonesboro 8-0 to start the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 10, before the game changed with the technical foul added on to the common foul.

Jonesboro hit 2 of 7 from the free-throw line in the third quarter, but it was foul shooting that saved the Hurricane, who were held without a field goal, in the fourth quarter.

“We just have to chalk this one up to defense tonight,” Swift said. “We weren’t real fluid on the offensive end.”

West Memphis senior center Vakemeyus Davis led the Blue Devils with 20, hitting 7 of 8 from the field and 6 of 6 from the free-throw line. Senior guard Dannie Gatewood added nine points for the Blue Devils.

Sports, Pages 22 on 01/11/2014