GAME 16: Charleston 51, Cape Central 42

By MARTY MISHOW ~ Southeast Missourian

Perennial power Charleston moved into the semifinals of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament with Saturday night's 51-42 win at the Show Me Center.

Fourth-seeded Charleston will take on top-seeded Scott County Central Monday, while No. 5 Central faces No. 8 Kelly in the fifth-place semifinals.

Charleston (4-5) built an early lead in the rematch and never relinquished it as the Bluejays fought off numerous runs by the Tigers (4-5).

Early this month, the Tigers beat the Bluejays 51-46 in the Sikeston tournament for their first win over Charleston since 1999.

"For sure we wanted to get them back," Charleston senior forward Donald Dixon said.

The 6-foot-2 Dixon was the star of the game as he dominated inside against the taller Tigers, who featured 6-6 sophomore Zach Boerboom and bulky 6-4 senior Rick Russell.

Dixon scored a game-high 23 points, all his field goals coming in the paint.

CAPE CENTRAL (42) -- Dylan Howard 2, Andrew Williams 9, Josh Harris 6, Kevin Casasola 6, Rick Russell 13, Zack Boerboom 6. FG 16, FT 9-18, F 18. (3-pointers: Harris 1. Fouled out: none.)

CHARLESTON (51) -- Antonio Riggens 2, Akeem Sharp 5, Mackenzie Ivy 6, Deonte Jones 7, Demarques McKeller 4, Donald Dixon 23, Chase McClendon 4. FG 21, FT 8-16, F 20. (3-pointers: Sharp 1. Fouled out: none.)