CORBIN-JELLICO

 The Corbin Redhounds got back on the winning side of the ledger after its loss to Scott County in the championship game of the Cumberland Falls Invitational by beating the Jellico (Tn) Blue Devils Monday night, 74-59.

The ‘Hounds (8-4) got a huge game from senior Matthew Taylor, who led Corbin in scoring with 31 points. It was a season high for the Redhounds.

Corbin jumped out to an 11-4 lead and never trailed in the game, but the Devils did make several runs late in the first quarter and again in the third period.

Brody Freeman scored the first basket of the game to set the tone and Travis Smith followed with a pair of free throws before Jellico got on the scoreboard. A quick 7-2 run saw the ‘Hounds take a big lead. Hunter Sizemore fired in a jumper before Taylor hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Jones added a pair of free throws and the lead was 11-4.

Jellico’s Cody Malicoat went to war and pushed the Devils to a 9-3 run. His 3-pointer late in the quarter pulled Jellico within a point, 14-13.

Smith hit a free throw as Corbin went to the bench with a two-point lead, 15-13 at the end of the quarter.

Corbin started the second period strong with a 9-2 run. Taylor had five points in the spree that saw the two-point lead blossom to nine with six minutes left, 24-15.

The Redhounds picked up the defensive pressure and outscored the Blue Devils, 16-4 over a four-minute span.  Corbin scored nine unanswered points during one stretch. Taylor Jones, Robbie Igo and Taylor scored all the points.

Led by Malicoat’s 12 points, the Devils cut the Corbin lead to nine (51-42) with 1:10 in the period. Jones hit one of two from the line as Corbin went to the fourth quarter with a 52-42 lead.

Jellico scored the first basket of the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to eight, but Smith answered with a basket and Taylor hit a 3-pointer after a Jellico turnover that pushed the Redhounds back on top, 57-44.

The Devils never got any closer than 11 points. Corbin hit 9-of-10 free throws in the final two minutes to pull away,

Smith added 17 points in the victory while Jones tossed in 12 points. Malicoat finished with 29 points to lead the Devils.

Corbin will be at Williamsburg Friday for a district game with the Yellow Jackets.

Corbin 74, Jellico 59

Jellico            13    9  20  17- 59

Corbin            15  25  12  22- 74

   Jellico (59) – Malicoat 29, England 4, Smith 6, Smiddy 10, Ayers 4, Shelly 6.

   Corbin (74) – Freeman 6, Jones 12, Sizemore 2, Smith 17, Taylor 31, Igo 4, West 2.