Danté Jackson sparks Xavier's win over LSU

Greenfield's Dante Jackson and the Xavier Musketeers rolled to an 89-65 victory over the LSU Tigers Tuesday in a non-conference game at the Cintas Center.

Terrell Holloway scored 20 points and had six assists to lead Xavier. Jordan Crawford added 17 points for Xavier (8-4). Other scorers included Mark Lyons, 12 points; Jason Love, 11 points; and Jamel McLean scored 10 points to go with 10 assists.

Xavier coach Chris Mack pointed to the hustle of the Musketeers as a key to the victory.

"I specifically remember Dante (Jackson) mixing it up a couple of times and Jamel (McLean) was the recipient of Dante's hustle," Mack said. "I remember a couple of times Jordan (Crawford) went to the offensive glass and when you get three of your players going rather than two, it's a lot harder for the opponent to block out three guys as opposed to two. Dante was a point guard (at McClain) and Jordan played a little bit of point at IU. If we get those kids going, I think it makes our job easier for our 4s and 5s and they were phenomenal on the offensive glass tonight."

The Xavier University Web site provides the following profile on Dante Jackson, a 6-5 junior from McClain High School in Greenfield.

NCAA TOURNAMENT: Dante Jackson Averaged 10.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.3 steals for XU's three NCAA Tournament games...scored 13 points to go with three assists and a career-high tying four steals in the first round win over Portland State, while earning CBS/Chevrolet Game MVP honors.

2008-09: Started the last 11 games at point guard, averaging 7.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and a 2.73-to-1.00 assist-to-turnover ratio for those starts...named Blackburn/McCafferty Game MVP by the media for the Dayton game on March 5 after scoring a team-high tying 14 points (XU's first 11 of the game) to go with a career-high eight rebounds...started the first 11 games of the season but had not started since the Dec. 23 Butler game until the season-ending stretch...made the most of his starting assignment against Fordham with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and just one turnover...had 11 points, three rebounds and three assists against GW...led Xavier in assists at 2.7 per game, including six against Saint Louis and six more at Fordham, while adding 6.6 ppg. and 3.5 rpg., including six rebounds in the Robert Morris and Virginia Tech games...scored a career-high 15 points on the strength of a career-high tying three three-pointers at Cincinnati, tallying 13 big points in the first half that helped XU forge a 14-point halftime lead...scored 13 points to go with three assists and no turnovers at Virginia...scored 13 points and dished off a career-high seven assists in the win over Auburn...hit the buzzer-beater from halfcourt that lifted Xavier to the thrilling come-from-behind overtime win over Virginia Tech in the semifinals of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off...his shot made the top spot on ESPN SportsCenter's "Top 10" list and it was the "Call of the Day"...scored five of XU's 11 points in overtime, which accounted for his entire game total...came up with a big steal and turned it into a three-point play at the other end in the closing minutes against Memphis...had 14 points, four assists and three rebounds in a career-high 34 minutes against Toledo.

2007-08: Made one of the biggest shots of his young career in the NCAA Tournament when he nailed a three-pointer against Georgia that put XU ahead for good at 52-49 with 7:21 left...XU, which had trailed by 11 points with 16 minutes left, led the rest of the way after his trey...the shot was nominated for a Pontiac "Game Changing Performance"...also hit a big three-pointer late in regulation against West Virginia...made his first collegiate start in the regular season finale against Richmond...played in 35 games, averaging 10.4 minutes per game...logged 13.8 minutes per game over the last 13 games...has shown great improvement, especially on the defensive end...played 18 minutes against Duquesne, contributing four points and three rebounds...played well in 13 minutes at Saint Joseph's, contributing five points and two steals...had a big game against Dayton at Cintas Center, hitting a pair of three-pointers to go with two assists and a career-high four steals in 17 minutes...hit 15 of his last 33 three-point attempts (.455) after hitting just two of his first 13 attempts (.154) last season.

RECORD-SETTER ANDA WINNER: Finished his career as McClain High School's all-time record holder for most points (2,423), rebounds (1,014), assists (502) and steals (312)...McClain posted a composite record of 85-12 during Jackson's four-year career, including three South Central Ohio League Championships, four Sectional Championships and two District Championships.

STELLAR SENIOR SEASON CAPPED OFF A DECORATED CAREER: Averaged 26.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.6 steals a game as a senior, while leading McClain to a 23-1 record...McClain finished with a perfect 20-0 regular season record and was ranked number one in the Division II AP Final Poll...they were ranked number one every week of the poll...First Team All-Ohio as a sophomore, junior and senior...AP First Team All-District four years in a row, including AP District Player of the Year three times...as a junior he averaged 28.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.7 steals, while leading his team to a 21-2 record...basketball coach: Rick VanMatre.

PERSONAL: Undecided on a major...born April 7, 1988 in Columbus, Ohio...mother is Krista Toney Jackson.