Sophomore Kristo Jackson scored 13 points off the bench, freshman Peyton Lubash also added 13, and freshman Jase Benjamin scored 12 as the San Tan Charter Roadrunners defeated the Peoria Panthers 72-43 in the second day of action at the LV8 Invitational at Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) on Friday. The Roadrunners will finish the tournament on Saturday in a showdown with the defending AIA Open Champion Perry Pumas (6A Premier), 2:00 PM at CGCC.

Off to a slow-start early, San Tan Charter trailed 13-6 before Lubash knocked down a corner 3 with 11:20 remaining in the first half to jump-start the Roadrunners on both ends of the floor. After a defensive stop and free throw by Jackson, a steal and layup by Lubash cut the deficit to one just moments later at 13-12.

The defensive pressure from San Tan forced another turnover, one of 26 forced turnovers on the game, and sophomore Will Gordon's left-wing 3 gave San Tan Charter a 15-13 lead, a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the game. The Roadrunners continued to piece together defensive stops and Jackon's layup off a great pass from junior Zaire Richardson capped off a 15-0 run to give the Roadrunners a 21-13 lead with 8:59 remaining in the half.

Peoria responded briefly, cutting San Tan's lead down to six with 7:47 remaining in the half, but the Roadrunners were quick to respond with a free throw from Benjamin, a steal and layup from Lubash, a 3-pointer from junior Kylen Bonner, and another transition layup from Lubash to cap an 8-0 run and open up a 31-17 lead with 3:54 remaining in the first half.

San Tan's lead would extend to 15 on a transition layup from Jackson, before Peoria made a push to finish the half, cutting the deficit to 38-30 before Bonner's buzzer-beating 3-pointer gave the Roadrunners a 41-30 lead at halftime.

Defense has been the calling card for a Roadrunner team that has showcased elite defensive play at both the Section 7 in Phoenix this past June, and at the Border League in Las Vegas in October. On Wednesday, the Roadrunners held Mountain Pointe to just 13 second-half points and followed suit on Friday by holding the Panthers to 13 points in the second half as well.

San Tan extended its lead early in the half as Benjamin found senior Beau Burns cutting to the basket with a great pass for a layup. After a defensive stop on the ensuing possession, Benjamin found Gordon on the baseline and Gordon's turnaround finish gave the Roadrunners a 45-30 lead. Moments later is was Gordon setting up Jackson for a wing three, capping off a 15-4 run to start the half and giving San Tan a 22 point lead, 56-34, with 9:29 remaining.

The Roadrunners once again showed off its scoring depth with nine different players scoring points on Friday. Sophomore Jarred Johnstad found the scoresheet with a corner 3 off a pass from Lubash, one of 16 assists San Tan had on the game. In the final minutes it was senior Fet O'Neal with four points and five rebounds off the bench in his Roadrunner debut, helping the Roadrunners extend its lead to as many as 30 before the Roadrunners finished off the 72-43 victory.

Jackson and Lubash led all scorers with 13 while Benjamin (12) was the other Roadrunner in double figures. Gordon (9), Richardson (6), Bonner (6), Burns (6), O'Neal (4), and Johnstad (3) all added to the scoresheet. Nehemiah Ward led Peoria in scoring with 10.

The Roadrunners finish the LV8 Invitational on Saturday against Perry, 2:00 PM at CGCC and it is recommended for those who plan to attend the game to arrive early. Also, be sure to follow the Roadrunners on Instagram @stcs_hoops for the latest info on game day.