By GREG MENGELT

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Josh Jefferson’s 13 points weren’t enough as host Chattanooga knocked off Middle Tennessee, 77-65 on Wednesday at McKenzie Arena.

Jefferson, who helped lead New Albany to the 2016 Indiana high school state championship, went 4 for 7 from the field, made 3 of his 6 3-pointers and both of his free throw attempts. The Middle Tennessee senior also had 4 steals, 3 rebounds and an assist.

Jefferson got the Raiders started with a 3-pointer on the team’s first possession. His second 3 gave Middle Tennesssee a 20-14 lead with 10:06 remaining before halftime. He scored 4 straight points — two free throws and a layup — and the Raiders led 28-22 with 5:57 on the clock.

The Blue Raiders led 34-31 at the half and extended the advantage to 38-31 early in the second. They led 51-47 after a layup by sophomore forward Tyler Millin, but Chattanooga went on a game-changing 12-0 run to wrest control of the contest.

It was 65-53 Mocs when Jefferson’s 3 narrow the gap to 65-56 with 4 minutes to go. Chattanooga outscored Middle Tennessee 46-22 over the final 18 minutes.

Senior guard David Jean-Baptiste led Chattanooga (10-3) with 24 points. He made 6 of his 8 3-pointers. Sophomore guard Malachi Smith — the team’s leading scorer at 20.3 points per game coming into the contest — added 21 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. The victory snapped a 2-game losing streak for Chattanooga.

Sophomore guard Camryn Weston scored a team-best 16 points for the Blue Raiders, who are now 9-4 on the season.

Jefferson and the Raiders open Conference USA play next Thursday when they host UTSA. The Roadrunners are 6-6 and have lost three of their last four. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. from the Murphy Center.

By GREG MENGELT

VALPARAISO — Host Valparaiso led for 38 minutes and cruised to an 88-66 victory over Langdon Hatton and the William & Mary Tribe on Wednesday at the Valpo Athletics-Recreation Center.

Hatton, a freshman from North Harrison, scored 6 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in the loss. He was 1 for 3 from the field and perfect from the free throw line in 4 attempts.

William & Mary scored the first 4 points before the Beacons went on a 16-7 run to take control. Hatton’s basket, a layup, came with 3:43 left in the first half and cut Valpo’s advantage to 39-36.

Senior guard Kobe King had 19 points and sophomore guard Sheldon Edwards had 17 points for Valpo, which is now 7-6 on the season.

Sophomore forward Ben Wight and senior forward Quinn Blain led the Tribe with 14 points apiece. Sophomore guard Connor Cochera added 12.

William & Mary’s losing streak is now 6 games. The Tribe are now 1-12 and will try to end the slide next Wednesday when they host Hofstra (8-5) at 7 p.m. The Pride have won seven of their last eight.

By GREG MENGELT

Mid-Southern Conference rival Silver Creek and Scottsburg open the Jefferson County Invitational today at Madison and could meet in the second round.

The defending Class 3A state champion Dragons face Southwestern (5-1), which is ranked 15th in Class 2A and won its first five games of the season before a 64-56 loss to Jac-Cen-Del last Thursday. The winner will advance to Thursday’s semifinal round against either Scottsburg (6-1) or Jay County (5-1). The loser will play the Warriors or Patriots later Wednesday evening.

With six wins in its first seven games, Scottsburg is off to its best start since it went 13-8 in 2003-04. The Patriots, who are coached by former Southwestern and Shawe head coach Jerry Bomholt, won its first four games before a 49-37 loss at New Castle.

On the other side of the bracket, Indianapolis Tech (5-2) appears to be the clear favorite. The Titans, who won the 2014 state championship, are ranked 13th in Class 4A and are coming off an 80-73 win over preseason No. 1 Cathedral.

The X-factor could be Warren Central (Ky.), which is 4-0 and has four comfortable wins this season. The Dragons are led by the trio of junior forward Chappelle Whitney (17.5 points per game), senior guard Jaiden Lawrence (13.5) and junior guard Damarion Walkup (12.0).

Behind freshman Cam Craig, Switzerland County (4-2) is going through a bit of a renaissance, but it’s unlikely the Pacers can compete with Tech. Madison enters the tournament 2-5, but the Cubs did upset Bedford North Lawrence 57-54 in overtime Friday.

JEFFERSON COUNTY INVITATIONAL
At Madison
WEDNESDAY
FIRST ROUND
Game 1 — Silver Creek (3-3) vs. Southwestern (5-1), 11 a.m.
Game 2 — Scottsburg (6-1) vs. Jay County (5-1), 12:45 p.m.
Game 3 — Madison (2-5) vs. Warren Central (Ky.) (4-0), 2:30 p.m.
Game 4 — Indianapolis Tech (5-2) vs. Switzerland County (4-2), 4:15 p.m.
SECOND ROUND
Championship Bracket
Game 5 — Silver Creek/Southwestern winner vs. Scottsburg/Jay County winner, 6 p.m.
Game 6 — Madison/Warren Central winner vs. Tech/Switzerland County winner, 7:45 p.m.
THURSDAY
Consolation Bracket
Game 7 — Silver Creek/Southwestern loser vs. Scottsburg/Jay County loser, 11 a.m.
Game 8 — Madison/Warren Central loser vs. Tech/Switzerland County loser, 12:45 p.m.
Game 9 — Game 7 loser vs. Game 8 loser, 2:30 p.m. (seventh-place game)
Game 10 — Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser, 4:15 p.m. (third-place game)
Game 11 — Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 6 p.m. (fifth-place game)
Championship Bracket
Game 12 — Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 7:45 p.m. (championship game)

GAME OF THE DAY
SILVER CREEK (3-3) AT VS. SOUTHWESTERN (5-1)
• Time: 11 a.m.
• Event: Jefferson County Invitational, first round.
• Location: Connor K. Salm Gymnasium, Madison H.S. (743 Clifty Dr., Madison)
• Coaches:
Silver Creek — Brandon Hoffman (204-76 in 12th season at Silver Creek)
Southwestern — Zac Nussbaum (30-9 in third season at Southwestern)
• Rankings:
Southwestern — No. 15 AP (Class 2A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Silver Creek — No. 109, No. 29 Class 3A
Southwestern — No. 101, No. 15 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
Silver Creek — Lost at Bedford North Lawrence 64-51 (Dec. 18)
Southwestern — Lost to Jac-Cen-Del 64-56 (Dec. 16)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• News & notes: Silver Creek held Jeffersonville to 39 percent shooting in Friday’s 13-point victory at Johnson Arena. The Dragons turned a 3-point halftime lead into a 59-50 advantage by outscoring the Red Devils 14-2 in the first 3 minutes of the third quarter. … Senior Zach Cole’s 20 points was one of three double-digit performers for the Rebels in a 67-44 win over Clarksville on Friday. Senior Parker Davis and sophomore Jamison Lewis had 13 points apiece in the win. … The Rebels outscored the Generals 57-33 over the final three quarters of the 23-point victory.
• John Harrell prediction: Southwestern 59, Silver Creek 56.
• Sagarin projection: Silver Creek by 1.
• Outlook: Silver Creek will find a way to advance in the winners’ bracket.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 51, Southwestern 47.

SCOTTSBURG (6-1) VS. JAY COUNTY (5-1)
• Time: 12:45 p.m.
• Event: Jefferson County Invitational, first round.
• Location: Connor K. Salm Gymnasium, Madison H.S. (743 Clifty Dr., Madison)
• Coaches:
Scottsburg — Eric Richardson (12-19 in second season at Scottsburg)
Jay County — Jerry Bomholt (71-49 in sixth season at Jay County, 561-356 in 41st season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Scottsburg — No. 53, No. 10 Class 3A
Jay County — No. 70, No. 18 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Scottsburg — Won at Columbus North 46-45 (Dec. 18)
Jay County — Defeated Delta 58-49 (Dec. 17)
• Last 20 years: First meeting,
• News & notes: Scottsburg outscored Corydon 16-11i in the fourth quarter to pull off a 56-53 MSC victory on Dec. 18. Freshman Kolby Hall led a balanced Warriors’ attack with 13 points. … Jay County is located in Portland, which is located in northeast Indiana. The Patriots are in the Allen County Athletic Conference and are coached by former Shawe and Southwestern head coach Jerry Bomholt. … Jay County has won 17 sectional titles in program history and won regional and semistate championships in 2006.
• John Harrell prediction: Scottsburg 51, Jay County 47.
• Sagarin projection: Scottsburg by 3.
• Outlook: Scottsburg has some opportunities to add to an already impressive early resume with some wins against teams the Warriors normally wouldn’t see.
• Greg’s pick: Scottsburg 65, Jay County 63.

JEFFERSONVILLE (1-5) VS. LOUISVILLE WAGGENER (3-5)
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Event: MAC’s Childcare Christmas Classic, final round.
• Location: Pleasure Ridge Park H.S. (5901 Greenwood Rd., Louisville)
• Coaches:
Jeffersonville — Andrew Grantz (16-12 in second season at Jeff, 104-54 in seventh season overall)
Waggener — Bryan O’Neill (Coaching records unavailable)
• Most recent game:
Jeffersonville — Lost to Louisville Western 66-56 (MAC’s Childcare Christmas Classic at Louisville Western, first round, Dec. 21, 2021)
Waggener — Lost to Louisville Southern (Dec. 21)
• Last 20 years: First meeting.
• News & notes: This is the seventh-place game of the tournament. … The Wildcats are led by junior wing Josiah Corley (16.2) and senior guard Austin Chiles (13.4), who combine for 29.6 of Waggener’s 47.5 points per game.
• Outlook: Jeff is in desperate need of a win.
• Greg’s pick: Jeffersonville 60, Waggener 48.

TELL CITY (0-6) AT NEW ALBANY (2-4)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Doghouse, New Albany H.S. (1020 Vincennes Street, New Albany)
• Coaches:
Tell City — Mike Brown (0-6 in first season at Tell City, 498-287 in 34th season overall)
New Albany — Jim Shannon (431-131 in 24th season at New Albany, 596-270 in 38th season overall)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Tell City — No. 341, No. 87 Class 2A
New Albany — No. 183, No. 85 Class 4A
• Most recent game:
Tell City — Lost to Washington 63-40 (Dec. 18)
New Albany — Lost at Carmel 36-24 (Dec. 18)
• Last 20 years: No meetings.
• News & notes: New Albany’s last meeting with Tell City came on Feb. 18, 1995. The Bulldogs won 68-66 in overtime. … Mike Brown led Paoli to five sectional titles from 1994-2002, including a state runner-up finish in 1999. Brown has also spent time at Crawford County, South Dearborn and Shawe in his 34-year career. … This game was scheduled because former New Albany player and assistant coach Matt Lynch was the coach at Tell City from 2017-2021. He helped lead the Marksmen to a 21-6 record and a sectional title in 2019. He’s now the head coach at Charlestown.
• John Harrell prediction: New Albany 69, Tell City 41.
• Sagarin projection: New Albany 25.
• Outlook: New Albany could use a comfortable win.
• Greg’s pick: New Albany 65, Tell City 45.

By GREG MENGELT

With losses at North Harrison and Corydon, Salem (7-4) lost back-to-back games for the first time in three years. The Lions returned home to beat Floyd Central by 2 points, but few expected the 3A regional powerhouse to ever lose back-to-back games this season.

New Albany (5-9) has lost eight of its last night. Needless to say, both teams will be looking for a victory in tonight’s Hoosier Hills Hoops Game of the Night.

In the night’s other local game, Henryville (4-7) looks for its first 3-game winning streak of the season when its hosts South Decatur (3-9) at 6 p.m.

GAME OF THE NIGHT
NEW ALBANY (5-9) AT SALEM (7-4)
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, Salem H.S. (700 N. Harrison St., Salem)
• Coaches:
New Albany — Shelby Gliebe (11-25 in second season at New Albany, 15-44 in third season overall)
Salem — Jerry Hickey (144-69 in ninth season at Salem)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
New Albany — No. 148, No. 60 Class 4A
Salem — No. 61, No. 13 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
New Albany — Lost at Evansville North 66-34 (Dec. 17)
Salem — Won at Floyd Central 44-42 (Dec. 18)
• Last 20 years: Salem 4-0.
• Most recent meeting: Dec. 23, 2020 — Salem 72, at New Albany 42.
• News & notes: Seniors Maleea Roland and Taylor Treat combine to score 29.6 of the Bulldogs’ 46.6 points per game this season. Roland is shooting 40 percent from the floor and Treat swipes more than three steals per game. … With losses to Corydon and North Harrison, the Lions lost back-to-back games for the first time since losing to Jeffersonville and Dixie Heights (Ky.) on Dec. 22 and 28, 2018.
• John Harrell prediction: Salem 58, New Albany 41.
• Sagarin projection: Salem by 19.
• Outlook: Salem is talented and experience. We expect the Lions to figure things out in the next month and compete with Silver Creek, Corydon and Charlestown in the sectional.
• Greg’s pick: Salem 58, New Albany 49.

SOUTH DECATUR (3-9) AT HENRYVILLE (4-7)
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Furnish Gym, Henryville H.S. (213 N. Ferguson St., Henryville)
• Coaches:
South Decatur — Tyler Johnson (9-25 in second season at South Decatur)
Henryville — Tuesday Guernsey (19-34 in third season at Henryville)
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
South Decatur — No. 325, No. 82 Class 2A
Henryville — No. 336, No. 84 Class 2A
• Most recent game:
South Decatur — Won at Scecina 46-38 (Dec. 18)
Henryville — Defeated Dugger Union 54-20 (Dec. 21)
• Last 20 years: Henryville 1-0.
• Most recent meeting: Jan. 20 — At Henryville 55, South Decatur 42.
• News & notes: With Tuesday’s win over Dugger Union, Henryville has won back-to-back games for the first time this year. The Hornets’ last 3-game winning streak came last year when they beat Crothersville, Providence, Christian Academy and today’s opponent, South Decatur, consecutively last January. … South Decatur responded to a 9-game losing streak with consecutive road wins at Knightstown and Scecina. The Cougars are 2-3 away from home this season.
• John Harrell prediction: South Decatur 41, Henryville 40.
• Sagarin projection: Henryville by 1.
• Outlook: Harrell has the Cougars by 1. Sagarin has Henryville by 1. Clearly, this is going to be a close game.
• Greg’s pick: Henryville 42, South Decatur 41.

By GREG MENGELT

After leading 21-14 at the half, the Texans (5-8) went on a 25-13 run midway through the second half to put the game away.

Former Floyd Central star Jake Heidbreder, an Air Force freshman, was the only Falcon in double figures. He finished with a game-high 15 points, 3 rebounds and an assist. He was 5 for 12 from the field, made 3 of his 7 3-point attempts and was a perfect 2-2 from the foul line.

Sophomore guard Jospeh Octave added 9 points for Air Force (7-4), which has lost three straight.

Senior guard Thaj Small’s 14 points led five Texans in double figures.

Heidbreder and the Falcons begin Mountain West competition next Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Clune Arena in Colorado Springs. The Falcons will host Utah State (9-4), which features All-American candidate Justin Bean and has won three of its last four games. The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday.

By GREG MENGELT

TOLEDO, Ohio — Former Silver Creek star Kooper Jacobi scored 2 points and his Toledo Rockets blew out visiting Marshall 95-63 on Tuesday evening at the Savage Center.

Jacobi was 1 for 4 from the field in the win. He finished with 7 rebounds and a steal in 18 minutes off the Toledo (8-3) bench. The Rockets have now won six of their last eight games.

Sophomore guard Ryan Rollins — the Rockets’ leading scorer at 19.3 points per game — had a game-high 23 Tuesday. He also had 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists. Junior guard RayJ Dennis added 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

All five Rockets starters scored in double figures.

Marshall All-American candidate Taevion Kinsey went 7 for 23 from the floor and led the Thundering Herd (7-6) in the loss. Marshall has lost three straight.

Toledo kicks off its Mid-American Conference slate next Wednesday when it hosts Western Michigan. The Broncos are 4-7 and have lost three of their last four overall. That game is schedule for 7 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN3.