Jaguars outrun Dawgs

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on December 23, 2009 1:46 PM

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PRINCETON -- Andre Nixon had to feel like a helpless spectator.

On the bench in foul trouble for most of the second half, the Princeton center watched Rocky Mount Prep dominate the boards and claim a 47-34 victory in the finals of the Princeton Christmas Tournament on Tuesday night.

The Bulldogs took a 21-20 lead moments after Nixon picked up his third foul less than three minutes into the third quarter. Princeton wouldn't lead again while Nixon was forced to watch the remainder of the third quarter from the bench.

The Jaguars led 25-23 entering the fourth quarter and Nixon was hit with his fourth foul before three minutes were gone in the final quarter. Nixon would later foul out in the closing minutes of the ballgame.

Rocky Mount Prep began the fourth quarter on an 11-3 run that built a 36-26 advantage with less than four minutes to play.

"Andre played really well in this tournament," said Bulldogs head coach Jeff Davis. "We just couldn't keep him in the game and that really hurt. We need Andre if we're going to score some points. We just gave them too many shots. I'm sure they shot 20 more times than we did."

Wes Wood's layup pulled Princeton to within 38-30, but the Jaguars were able to put the game away despite shooting just 9 for 16 from the free throw line over the final two minutes.

Larry Maryland, the tournament's most valuable player, finished with a game-high 19 points for Rocky Mount Prep. Dominique Hayes added 12.

Nixon, an all-tournament team selection, led the Bulldogs with eight points and T.J. Wilson had seven.

Princeton (5-4) returns to action Tuesday in the Roanoke Invitational.

"We played a good team, and that's going to get us ready for Ayden-Grifton and Goldsboro," said Davis. "If we're going to play with those teams that what we've got to play against. We're still not quite over that hump."