ST. JOSEPH - Tanner Jacob was 5-for-9 from three-point range, leading St. Joseph-Ogden to a third consecutive win on Friday. The Spartans jumped out to an early 16-point lead on visiting Illinois Valley Central at the start of the second quarter and poured on the points on the way to a 79-56 win Friday night.
Jacob, the squad's go-to scorer, finished the Illini Praire Conference game with 19 points and four assists. Shooting 54% overall, the senior started the game on fire with 14 points in the first half.
The win improved the Spartans' record to 16-4 on the season, and they remain undefeated in league play at 3-0.
SJO led the fast-paced action by as many as 27 points with a little under six minutes to play in the fourth quarter after Coy Taylor buried a three-pointer from near the top of the key. Taylor made four other shots inside the arc to finish with nine points, five boards, and four assists.
Using his long wingspan and height, Tanner Siems led St. Joseph-Ogden's rebound effort, hauling in eight boards. The junior finished with 13 points, all made under the rim.
Luke Landrus and Logan Smith finished with ll points each for the Spartans. Smith led the team's defensive effort with four steals, and dished eight assists. Shooting 50% from the field, Landrus made five of his ten shots and sunk one of his three free-throw attempts.
Next up, the boys' squad takes on St. Anthony's in Effingham today for a 2:30 p.m. contest. SJO then plays at home, hosting St. Thomas More on Tuesday and playing at Monticello on Friday to remain at the top of the IPC standings.
