Patriots extend streak to 65
Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
The four time defending Overall Champion Madison-Ridgeland Patriots won their 65th straight game over MAIS opponents on Saturday evening with a 73-61 win over Pillow. Seniors Caleb Miskelly and Justin Malone combined for 46 points as MRA shook off several Mustang runs to improve to 22-10 overall and 12-0 in conference with one week remaining in regular season play.
In the early going it looked as though MRA was primed to eliminate any thoughts Pillow had of leaving town having ended the Patriot’s win streak. Following two minutes of cold shooting from both squads Caleb Miskelly drilled a 3-pointer from the corner and Justin Malone muscled his way for two quick baskets to give the champs a 7-0 advantage with 4:51 remaining in the opening quarter of play.
Jackson Pannell got the Mustangs on the board with a 3-pointer from the wing at the 4:04 mark to spark a 7-3 run that trimmed the deficit to 10-7.
After MRA had gone up 15-7 on a Miskelly 3-pointer and two free throws from the senior point guard, Pillow closed the quarter with a Ja’Quez Taylor 3-pointer and a steal and lay-in from senior Sam Shipley with 7 seconds on the clock to stay within striking distance at 15-12 heading into the second quarter. (Above) MRA senior Caleb Miskelly scrambles for a loose ball
Pillow completed a 10-0 run that began in the final minute of first quarter with a Shipley 3-pointer from the wing and Gaston Lyon’s drive and lay-in around Justin Malone that gave the Mustang’s their first lead at 17-15 one minute into the second quarter.
That lead didn’t last long as Justin Malone used his big frame to dominate the paint on three consecutive possessions. Malone’s offensive rebound and put back knotted the game at 17-17 and the senior big man then produced two straight 3-point plays around the rim to push MRA to a 23-17 lead with 5:32 left in the half.
MRA enjoyed their biggest lead of the half at 34-22 as result of a Tyler Cummins 3-pointer and a Malone free throw at the 1:43 mark. The Patriot’s closed the first half with a 14-5 run to take a 37-24 lead into the locker-room.
MRA extended their lead to 52-34 in a 15-10 third quarter in which Malone and Miskelly accounted for 13 points.
Alec Rawlings gave MRA their biggest lead of the night at 55-34 on a 3-pointer to start the third quarter but Pillow caught fire. Jackson Pannell drilled two 3-pointers from the wing and senior guard Ja’Quez Taylor converted on two driving baskets to pull the Mustangs to 55-44. Two Gaston Lyons free throws at the 5:24 mark completed a 12-0 run forcing an MRA timeout after the Patriot’s 21 point lead had been shaved to nine points at 55-46.

(Above) Pillow's Landon Taylor (#14) fronting MRA's Justin Malone

Pillow would get no closer the remaining five minutes as MRA repeatedly burned the Mustangs in the paint. Pillow had no answer for Malone’s presence on the block and Miskelly’s frequent drives to the rim heightened the pressure on the Mustang defense.
With the win the top ranked Patriots improve to 22-10 and 12-0 in conference play.
Justin Malone had a game high 24 points, Caleb Miskelly added 22, Tyler Cummins had 11, Kamry Owens 7, Alec Rawlings and Hadley Kelsey had 3 each and Connor Ruwe 2.
Pillow (14-11 & 8-4) was led by Ja’Quez Taylor with 20 points, Sam Shipley added 17, Jackson Pannell 14 and Gaston Lyon 7.
Next up for MRA will be a home date with Marshall on Monday while Pillow will host Magnolia Heights on Tuesday.