ROMM PHOTOGRAPHY

Junior DeAllen Jackson, playing with a mask, helped lead Archbishop Hoban to a 52-46 win over visiting Benedictine on Friday night. Injured on Jan. 21, Jackson was originally thought to be lost for the rest of the season.

AKRON, Ohio -- Originally thought to be lost for the remainder of the season, Archbishop Hoban junior guard DeAllen Jackson scored 19 points in a 52-46 win Friday night over visiting Benedictine at Barry Gym.

Jackson, who fractured a bone near his eye on Saturday, Jan. 21, missed three games, but came through in a big way as the Knights (11-5) jumped out to a 19-9 lead after one quarter and held off a late charge by the Bengals.

"DeAllen got the go ahead from three doctors," Hoban coach T.K. Griffith said. "We played a great first half and then had to hang on at the end."

Junior Saadiq Muhammad scored 13 points for Hoban.  Junior Jaelen Hollinger, playing with a bone chip in his right wrist, collected nine points and 13 rebounds.

"That kid's effort is incredible," Griffith said about Hollinger.

Jackson played about six or seven minutes in Hoban's last game -- a win over Northwest -- but his mask limited his ability to contribute.  He was fitted for a new mask and played well with it against Benedictine.

With Hoban leading 48-44, Jackson and Muhammad each sank both ends of a bonus situation in the final minute to lift Hoban to victory. Senior guard Sean Robbins hit two big 3-point goals in the third quarter for the Knights.

Winston Grays had 20 for the Bengals (10-6).  Benedictine's outstanding guard Desmond Ridenour was reportedly ill and did not play.