By Jeff Motz

Lincoln Prep Sports.com

Lincoln Southeast dictated much of the lead the entire night, until 3:25 left in the game when Omaha Creighton Prep came roaring back and took a two-point lead.  But the Knights (15-2) did not back down and hit clutch free-throws late to hold off the sixth-ranked Junior Jays with a 71-62 win Saturday night at the Prasch Activities Center.

Prep's Caleb Steffensmeier sparked a short 8-0 run and after Cole Martin narrowed the gap and tied the game up, a basket from Joe Trouba gave the Junior Jays a 58-56 advantage, their first lead since starting out 5-0 in the first quarter.  Southeast countered with a 15-4 run, starting off a back door layup from Derrius Vick and a 15-footer form Eric Jackson gave Southeast the lead for good at 60-58.  

As Prep struggled from the field, Southeast hit free throws down the stretch, five of which came from Jaydee Jurgensen.  Vick hit a couple of free-throws to seal the win.

After the Junior Jays started the game 5-0 behind Steffensmeier's three and a baby hook shot from Stephen Sudyka, Jackson sparked the Knights 13-0 run with eight straight points, including two three-pointers.  Jurgensen, Derek Shouse and Cody Charlton each hit three-pointers to help Southeast to a 19-9 first quarter lead.  Southeast connected on 7-of-11 threes.

The Knights hit seven three-pointers in the game, all of which came in the first half.  Jackson scored 14 of his game-high 24 points in the first half and Shouse added 16 points by connected on three treys of his own.  Vick was the third Southeast player to score in double figures with 13 points.

Steffensmeier led Prep with 21 points and Trouba finished with 19 points in the loss, as they turn around to play third-ranked Omaha Central on Tuesday at Prep.  Southeast hosts Class B top ten Lincoln Pius X Tuesday night.