ELGIN, Ill. – Jeremiah Jackson led all players with his double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds, and the Roosevelt men's basketball team created enough of a cushion in the second half that held thanks to the Lakers' defense in a 65-60 road victory over Judson at the Lindner Fitness Center on Saturday.
Tyree York tallied 12 and Joe Harks scored 11 for the Lakers (16-11, 10-7 CCAC), who snapped a three-game skid.
Jason Markus connected on a pair of threes off the bench to add eight critical points to the cause.
Andrew Eck scored 14 for the Eagles (5-23, 2-15 CCAC).
Judson's record is deceiving, as the Eagles have notable wins and a few close losses against some of the CCAC's stoutest squads, and on this day the hosts gave the Lakers all they could handle for 40 minutes.
The Eagles led by as many as six in the first half and took a one-point lead into intermission, but the second half was more of a Green and White way of play that allowed the guests to go up as many as 10 midway through the stanza.
Roosevelt was able to keep a lead for all but two minutes in the final half thanks to a defense that held the Eagles to just eight makes on 29 field goal attempts in the last 20 minutes.
Jackson was a force throughout, scoring 12 early points to keep the Lakers in the game and contributing beyond his 8-for-10 day from the field with timely blocks, steals, free throws and boards for a difference-making day. The 6-foot-6 senior forward gathered nine caroms on the offensive glass, with six of those taking place in the second period.
The Lakers built their double-digit advantage thanks to run-aiding buckets from a variety of players, ranging from usual suspects such as York, Harks, Jackson and Kevin Priebe to bench mobsters such as Markus, Joshua Dillingham and Max Bisesi.
That lead was just enough, even though Judson chipped away and got within four thanks to a 7-1 run in the game's final three minutes, but Roosevelt held firm with suffocating defense and blocks from Priebe and Adam Alexander in the waning moments that allowed the Lakers to escape further damage and leave with the key road win.
"Our defense in the second half was the reason we pulled this one out against a scrappy, capable Judson team," said Roosevelt head coach Joe Griffin. "Holding them to 28 percent allowed us to hold our lead and execute in winning time on a day where we didn't shoot great [43 percent].
"This final week of the regular season will showcase some great basketball, and we'll need our seniors to lead us."
The Lakers wrap up the home portion of their regular-season slate this Wednesday, Feb. 18 against Saint Xavier. Roosevelt students, faculty and staff can take part in a free pregame tailgate at 4 p.m. inside the Wabash Dining Center, and prior to tip-off the senior quartet of York, Harks, Jackson and Mike Thompson will be recognized as part of Senior Night festivities.
