2/1/2012 - Roadrunners 82, Panola 68

AC’s Roadrunners finished off what has been a steady climb in improvement with a convincing 82-68 win over Panola’s Ponies Wednesday in Carthage.

After dropping the past couple of games despite taking late leads, the Roadrunners left no room for doubt in taking their first conference win of the season. Mike Myers’ double-double night included 21 points and 13 rebounds, and LaDerrien Jackson shot his way to another 18 points. Jaylen Daniel hit three big three pointers late in the game to finish with 15; and Victor Mbachu helped hold off a late Panola rally by finishing 9-of-12 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points.

Lost in the stat sheet was the play of Ja’Lexius Davis, who helped ignite an AC scoring run over some crucial first-half moments. In his 23 minutes on the floor, Davis scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds and swiped three steals. AC head coach Todd Neighbors credited Davis’ energy with lifting his team out of an early-game struggle.

“If we gave game balls, this one would have gone to Ja’Lexius,” Neighbors said. “He just comes in the game and gives everything he’s got, and he makes things happen for us. There’s a lot to be said for someone willing to give that much effort. It makes the whole team better.”

JaRon Denmark led the Ponies with 16 points. Robert Lee finished with 13 and Alonzo Murphy 11 for Panola (7-13, 1-9).

The Roadrunners (10-11, 1-9) will host Navarro College at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Shands Gymnasium. The live audio/video web cast will be available by logging on to www.angelina.edu and clicking on the Athletics link.