RC rolls over 14th-ranked Hill

Coryon Mason, Braden Bell and Jonathan Jackson all scored into double figures on Saturday and helped carry the Ranger College men's basketball team to a rousing 77-63 victory over the 14^th-ranked Hill College Rebels in front of a large crowd in the Ron Butler Gymnasium.

With the victory, Ranger College improved to 17-2 and, even more importantly, moved to 3-1 in Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference play. Ranger trails Temple College by one game heading into their showdown on Jan. 23.

The Rangers, who came into the contest with Hill ranked No. 8 in the latest NJCAA poll, dominated the Rebels in the first 20 minutes. Ranger College picked up 12 first-half points from Bell and eight more from Jaren English and rolled to a comfortable 46-29 halftime cushion.

Bell knocked down five shots from inside the paint in the opening half of play. He also chipped in a pair of free throws.

English gave the Rangers plenty of bite from the outside. He sank a pair of clutch three-pointers in the opening half.

Sophomore point guard Keyshaad Dixon also contributed to RC's first-half success. He scored six points in the frame, including three via one of the Rangers' five first-half treys. Caleb Asberry and Mason also drilled long-distance shots.

Mason saved his best for the second half. He scored 10 of his team-high 17 points in the final 20 minutes to lead a 31-point outburst.

Bell and Jackson finished the contest with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Brayan Au and English added nine and eight, while Dixon and Asberry pitched in six apiece.