St. Joseph bounced back from Friday’s last-second loss to Notre Dame with a 58-56 victory Saturday night over De La Salle. But the win wasn’t easy for the 12th-ranked Chargers.
St. Joseph (3-2) built a 56-46 lead early in fourth quarter after a three-point basket by Aaron McIntosh. But De La Salle’s 10-0 run, led by Mike Bailey’s six points, tied it with just under 2 minutes left.
A free throw by Richard James with :45 left was the game-winner; teammate Derrick Mims added a free throw with :12 left.
“Every game, I feel fortunate that we’re able to win,” said St. Joseph coach Gene Pingatore. “This team has a long way to go to establish itself. We showed really good signs at times, but sometimes we just self-destruct.”
De La Salle’s Deon Tolliver led all scorers with 20 points. Mims (17 points) led St. Joseph.
Joliet 81, St. Joseph (Cleveland) 65: Gary Bell scored 35 points in Ohio to lead No. 3 Joliet.
Lincoln-Way 64, Lyons Township 57: Mark Griffin had 24 points and 16 rebounds, Ryan White 20 points and Jamie Smith 12 points and eight rebounds for host Lincoln-Way (3-2) in the non-conference game.
Lincoln-Way took an 8-0 lead in the first 3:00. Lyons (2-3) took its first lead in the third quarter when Dennis Carroll, who had three first-half fouls, scored seven of his team-high 14 points.
Lyons (2-3) didn’t score its first basket of the fourth quarter until 1:59 remained. The Lions missed four front ends of one-and-ones.
“It was a big ballgame for us,” said Lincoln-Way coach Steve Little. “It lifts a ton of bricks off some of the kids’ shoulders.”
Downers Grove South 63, Palatine 42: Antwaun Cubie scored 24 points and Eric Norberg added 15 for Downers South (5-0).
“Palatine is the kind of team that will give you a good defensive test early in the year, and we came in and responded with intensity,” said Downers South coach Dick Flaiz.
Jared Sherman’s 17 points paced Palatine (3-2).
IMSA 63, Leland 26: Steve Gebhart’s 14 points led Illinois Math & Science Academy (3-1).
Seneca 75, Serena 43: Trent Misener and Matt Marques each scored 14 for Seneca (2-2) in the non-conference game.
Timothy Christian 74, Luther South 54: Timothy (4-1) won its Private School League opener behind Dave Deters’ 17 points.
Kaneland 49, Plainfield 45: Kaneland (6-0, 2-0) rallied from a five-point fourth-quarter deficit to take the Little Seven contest behind Jeff Beetham’s 14 points and five assists.
Oswego 75, Yorkville 58: Sean Madigan’s 29 points led Oswego (3-2, 1-1) in the Little Seven.
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Nazareth Academy 65, Chicago Christian 44: Mike Kueeria scored 15 points in the Private School League game for Nazareth (4-1, 2-0).
Marian Catholic 48, T.F. North 45: Kali Griffith’s 13 points led Marian (2-3).
Wheaton North 49, Willowbrook 47: Chireal Jordan scored 17 points and Vincent Thomas 13 for Wheaton North in the non-conference game.
Naperville North 80, Lockport 52: Corey Knoeck scored 30, going 6 for 9 from three-point range, and Max Hanson scored 13 for Naperville (4-1).
Naperville Central 56, West Aurora 51 (OT): Ryan Crowley (17 points) hit two free throws with :01 left in regulation to force overtime, where Scott Lawler’s four quick points put Naperville (2-3) ahead to stay.