GAME 15: Jackson 64, Leopold 53

The third-seeded Jackson Indians wore down Leopold over the second and third quarters to post a 64-53 victory over the previously unbeaten Wildcats in the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament quarterfinals.

The Wildcats, seeded sixth, had opened the season 6-0 but after winning the Woodland Invitational had yet to face a school as large as Class 5 Jackson.

Marcus Harris scored 21 points, Zach McDowell added 15 and Kyle Keith had 13 for the Indians, who now will get their first shot at longtime rival Notre Dame. The two schools met in the championship game last year but will play in the prime time 7:30 semifinal on Monday.

Harris was 7-for-9 from the free-throw line to go with seven field goals on a night he did not start due to the flu.

Jackson led 13-12 after one quarter as Leopold's Dustin Thiele ended the period with a half-court shot for 3 points.

After that, the Indians methodically pulled away, however.

Larry Nussbaum led Leopold with 19 points, while Darren VanGennip added 15 and Thiele scored 11.

LEOPOLD (53) -- Dustin Thiele 11, Wade Wiseman 3, David Fluchel 2, Darren VanGennip 15, Larry Nussbaum 19, Clayton Stoverink 1, Anthony Seabaugh 2. FG 22, FT 5-13, F 16. (3-pointers: Thiele 1, Wiseman 1, VanGennip 1, Nussbaum 1. Fouled out: none)

JACKSON (64) -- Marcus Harris 21, Kyle Keith 13, Cody Green 3, Lucas Davis 4, Zach McDowell 15, Eli Gohn 4, Bobby Clark 4. FG 23, FT 15-21, F 17. (3-pointers: Keith 3. Fouled out: none)