With one third-quarter burst, Madison Central claimed control of the race for the Division 3-5A championship.

Trailing most of the night, the Jaguars called time out with 3 minutes, 16 seconds to play in the third quarter and trailing WC, 40-32.

Over the next 37 seconds, Madison took a 43-40 lead and pulled away late for a 72-62 victory.

Warren Central, which must play Madison again, fell to 3-1 in the division.

&#8220We’ve been trying to stress to them to play each game like it’s their last,” Madison Central coach Jeff Heath said. &#8220I told them during that timeout that we weren’t playing that way. They definitely responded because it seemed like we reeled off about 10 points in about 30 seconds.”

Vincent Powell scored five points in the run and Chad Akins nailed a 3-pointer. Warren Central called its own timeout to settle things.

Malcoln Kirkland and Travis Reed scored 19 points apiece for Madison, and Powell scored 11.

Warren Central was able to weather the Jags’ run and took a 57-55 lead on a Shone Ester 3-pointer. It was the last lead of the night for the Vikings.

Warren Central had a last-minute chance trailing 65-60. Madison turned the ball over, but the Vikings gave it right back to set up a Kirkland slam dunk which slammed the door on any WC comeback.

The Jaguars outscored WC 17-5 over the final four minutes of the game.

&#8220We got out of our gameplan which is to pound it down low and drive the ball to the goal,” WC coach Jesse Johnson said. &#8220We took some very ill-advised jump shots. We’re losing games mentally right now, not physically, but mentally.”

Shaan Walker, Mario Luckett and Ester each scored 13 points for Warren Central and Ester added 10 in the loss.

The Vikings will be at Forest Hill Friday night before playing in the Red Carpet Classic on Saturday.

(G) Warren Central 53, MC 34.

Warren Central used a 20-point second quarter to pull away from Madison Central and remain tied with Greenville for first place in Division 3-5A.

Sha’Kayla Caples scored a game-high 14 points and Amanda Doyle added 11 for the Lady Vikes (16-6, 3-1).

&#8220When we get a big lead, it seems that we lose our focus a little bit and let teams back in the game,” WC coach Donny Fuller said. &#8220We’ve got to do something about that.”

Warren Central had a 26-point lead going into the fourth quarter and watched as Madison Central (11-10, 1-2) went on a 7-0 run to get the lead down to 19.

&#8220We have to learn that when we get someone down 20 or 25, we have to make it 30 or 35,” Fuller said.

Emily Younger led Madison with eight points.