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Jones goes on scoring tear to lead Rams

By Staff | Jan 24, 2020

Jones

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Jarrell Jones scored and scored throughout the second half in leading Shepherd to an 82-78 conference win over visiting East Stroudsburg on Jan. 16.

Jones and his 24-point half had just enough flourish to get past the pressing defense of the Warriors.

It was a typical Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference game — full of hustle and bristling with a competitive atmosphere with the outcome always in doubt.

Jones had scored only five first-half points, giving no indication he would become Shepherd’s source of points in the second half.

Even without any points at all in the first half from leading scorer Thomas Lang, the Rams still managed a 33-29 lead, as Dan McClain-Corley gave them his 12 points.

McClain-Corley

The well-managed first half was marked by East Stroudsburg’s always-employed zone press and the fact that the Warriors never shot a free throw and Shepherd shot only four free throws.

East Stroudsburg’s pressure meant it needed fresh players throughout, and it had employed 11 men in the opening half — all of them getting meaningful court time.

Shepherd’s scant leads continually kept it in front for the first 15 minutes of the last half. But the Warriors and their constant backcourt pressure were always there.

Michal Weiss counted a layup with about five minutes remaining to nudge the Warriors ahead, 67-66.

Points came by the fistful in the latter minutes.

Lang

McClain-Corley’s driving, left-handed layup pushed the Rams ahead, 71-69, with 2:57 showing.

Finally, it seemed appropriate that Jones kept Shepherd’s collective heads above water. He made a three-pointer and a free throw in the final minute to cap the stay-in-front win.

The victory snapped Shepherd’s four-game losing skid and left them with a 7-9 overall record and with a 3-7 log in the league. The Warriors had played well, but did not receive any “well done” points, leaving Shepherd with an 8-7 overall record and a 4-6 conference mark.

Jones and his career-high 29 points had been the game’s face. And that face was smiling at the end.