TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE sophomore guard Reggie Nelson, a John Tyler graduate, drives up the court against Bossier Parish guard Demerius Smith during Saturday's game at Wagstaff Gymnasium.

By HAROLD WILSON, Staff Writer, Tyler Morning Telegraph

Tyler Junior College earned another stripe for its lengthy home-court winning streak, and found just the place to do it.

After seeing a 21-point lead completely erased, TJC scored 14 of its last 20 points at the charity stripe to hold off Bossier Parish Community College (La.) 87-83 in Region XIV action Saturday at Wagstaff Gymnasium.

TJC, ranked No. 17 in the NJCAA, improved to 14-1 on the season and 5-1 in Region XIV play. Furthermore, TJC upped its home winning streak to 32 games, but not without a fight from Bossier Parish (10-5, 0-5).

"Any time you win 32 in a row you're real pleased," TJC coach Mike Marquis said. "You're talking about three separate teams being a part of that. It means a lot for us."

Tyler Jefferson, a 6-6 sophomore forward from Fort Worth, notched a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Apaches, who never trailed despite receiving a slight scare.

Bossier fell behind 30-9 at one point early, but chipped away by hitting 14 3-pointers. Demerius Smith scored off a trey to bring Bossier within four (67-63) and later netted three straight free throws to tie it at 67-all with 6:17 remaining.

TJC took charge from there, taking it up hard to draw fouls on three straight possessions -- making five of six free throws in the process to go in front by five points, and using Tyler Jefferson's putback to make it a seven-point game at the 5:01 mark.

The Apaches closed the game making 28 of 46 shots at the free throw line. Two starters for Bossier fouled out, including Markcus Jackson, who exited the contest with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Four players produced double figures for the guests, including Marcus Murry, who drained a team-high 18 points and four triples.

LaBree Sledge scored 17 points off the bench and deposited five of TJC's seven 3-pointers, although the Apaches hit only one money ball in the second half following the quick start. Sledge showered the nets for 15 points off five treys during a 23-2 run early to help TJC gain its 21-point lead.

TJC's bench came up big, outscoring Bossier's 39-25. Others on the second unit enjoying solid games included Denzel Jackson (six points, three steals), RJ Samuels (six points, four assists, two steals) and Byron Maxson (five points, three rebounds, two steals).

"Our depth's important for the length of the league. We're running a marathon, not a sprint," Marquis said. "We don't really have starters and subs; we have group one and group two."

In the first half, TJC created a wide gap, hitting six treys in the first 12 minutes, including the fourth in a three-minute span from Sledge to take a commanding 20-point lead (33-13).

Bossier Parish stormed back with the same weapon, draining eight trifectas through 20 minutes -- seven over the final seven to pull within seven (45-38) heading into the break.

"They came out in some zone and we attacked inside-out and made some shots," added Marquis. "They started off cold and then we kind of got up. They made a bunch of 3's right before half."

TJC changed to man-to-man for the whole second half after playing a zone the entire first, causing Bossier to work a little harder getting free. The result: Bossier connected on only 13 of 39 shots (33 percent) in the second half, and just 28 of 75 (37 percent) for the game.

The starting five finished strong for TJC, going 17 for 24 from the free throw line.

Former John Tyler standout and starting TJC point guard Reggie Nelson netted 10 points, two assists and two steals. Meanwhile, Brent Barz tacked on nine points, seven rebounds and five blocks.

"I just said we were going to play 20 minutes man. It helped our conditioning and made them uncomfortable at times," Marquis said. "That (first) group's been good finishing games. They've got some maturity and all shoot free throws well. It gave us a chance to keep the lead."

-- -- --

Tyler 87, Bossier Parish 83

BOSSIER PARISH -- Simeon Norman, 2; Marcus Murry, 18; Demerius Smith, 14; Darrell Phillips, 2; Jasaan Roberson, 3; Brance Davenport, 17; Markcus Jackson, 13; Carlos Shorter, 5; Virgil Washington, 9.

FG:  28-75
FT:  13-20.

TYLER -- Denzel Jackson, 6; Reggie Nelson, 10; RJ Samuels, 6; Alan Branch, 3; Brad Gay, 6; LaBree Sledge, 17; Johnathan Edwards, 3; Byron Maxson, 5; Brent Barz, 9; Tyler Jefferson, 20; Jatarvis Vandyke, 2.

FG:  26-53
FT:  28-46.

THREE POINT GOALS -- BP: Davenport (4), Murry (4), Smith (3), Jackson (2), Washington; TJC: Sledge (5), Branch, Samuels.

HALFTIME SCORE -- Tyler 45, Bossier Parish 38.

RECORDS -- Bossier Parish 10-5 (0-5); Tyler 14-1 (4-1).

NEXT UP --  Bossier Parish at Trinity Valley, Wednesday; Tyler at San Jacinto, Saturday.