Rockets have just enough to edge Astros

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No. 5 Rich East outscored Shepard 12-4 down the stretch to pull out a 50-47 nonconference victory Tuesday night in Park Forest.

Shepard (7-8) led 35-27 early in the final quarter and was up by five midway through the period when the Rockets (13-3) began their comeback. Ja’Mere Dismukes scored all nine of his points during Rich East’s closing run.

Rich East struggled from the floor, shooting 16-for-59 (27 percent), but the Astros hurt their cause by turning the ball over 26 times. Rich East was paced by Stephen O’Neal (14 points, 15 rebounds) and Kashaune McKinney (10 points).

Shepard was led by Steve Reynolds (18 points) and Marcus Clark (eight points, eight rebounds).

“Give Shepard a lot of credit,” said Rich East coach George Leonard. “They fought from the opening tip, but good teams find a way to win on their bad nights.”