Thibodaux shows toughness down stretch to eliminate Bonnabel, 63-48

LAKE CHARLES – When put under pressure, top-seeded Thibodaux did not fold. Instead, the Tigers showed why they earned the No. 1 seed in the Class 5A state playoffs.

The Tigers overcame an early fourth quarter deficit with a decisive run to dispatch No. 4 Bonnabel 63-48 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl LHSAA semifinals at Burton Coliseum Thursday afternoon.

Thibodaux beat Bonnabel 63-48 in the Class 5A Semi-Final and will advance to the Class 5A Boys' Marsh Madness Finals! pic.twitter.com/Q3XLulJ2M2

— LHSAA (@LHSAA) March 7, 2019

Trailing 42-40 early in the fourth quarter, Thibodaux responded with a 10-0 run and closed the game on a 23-8 run to pull away for the win.

Bonnabel started fast, taking a 5-0 lead and led 12-8 when Thibodaux began forcing turnovers and scoring with regularity. The Tigers closed the first quarter on a 13-2 run to take a 21-14 lead behind six points from Rashad Winslow and five from Marvin Robertson.

The run continued to start the second quarter, becoming a 19-2 run to expand the lead to 27-14 and Thibodaux led 35-17 before Bonnabel closed the half on a 7-0 run to trail 35-24 at halftime.

Rashod Robinson had seven points in the quarter for the Tigers and finished with 10 in the half. The Tigers capitalized on 11 Bruin turnovers, converting those into 15 points.

The Bruins exploded in the third quarter, going on an 8-0 run and cut the deficit to 40-39 going to the fourth quarter. Donte’ Mitchell had a pair of 3-pointers in the quarter to spark Bonnabel. The Bruins made their run as Thibodaux was dealing with foul trouble with three of its key players.

J’Mari Carter led Thibodaux (32-2) with 16 points and four rebounds while Robinson and Marvin Robertson each scored 13 points.

Rodney Munson and Mitchell each scored 14 points for Bonnabel (26-6) while Will Allen had eight points and 12 rebounds. Thibodaux dominated inside, outscoring Bonnabel 33-6 in points in the paint and dominated in points off turnovers 22-3.

It was the second win for the Tigers over the Bruins this season. Thibodaux defeated Bonnabel 60-52 on Dec. 28.

Thibodaux in final for the first time since 2005, when the Tigers lost to D.J. Augustin and Brother Martin in the title game.

Bonnabel missed out on reaching the state championship game for the second time in three years, having lost to Landry-Walker in the title game in 2017.

The Tigers will face the winner of the game featuring defending state champion and No. 3 Walker and No. 2 Ouachita Parish Saturday at 6 p.m.