The bank was open for Brother Rice yet again on Friday night.
A few days removed from getting a critical 3-point basket on a banked shot in a win over Marist, the Crusaders did it again en route to a hard-fought 64-61 overtime victory over host Bishop McNamara Friday in the Catholic League South.
After a lengthy possession in overtime, Brother Rice was frustrated into a shot from Josh Niego from well behind the arc. Initially looking off the mark, Niego’s shot hit directly in the center square and banked in for a pivotal basket that sent the Crusaders to the win.
It was almost an exact replica of a shot hit by Brother Rice’s Mike Shepski in the Marist victory.
“It was kind of a funny joke with us after the Marist game because Shepski hit that three against Marist which was just huge and he banked it in too,” Niego said. “I guess the bank was open for us again tonight and it was my turn.”
Niego, who finished with a game-high 27 points, kept the Crusaders afloat early in the game after a sluggish start. The Fighting Irish built a 14-10 first-quarter lead which was promptly erased by a 13-point scoring flurry by Niego in the second quarter. That rush allowed the Crusaders (17-3, 6-0) to carry a 32-24 lead into the break.
It was a lead that were never able to extend upon as the Irish continued to attack the basket with vigilance against a Crusaders defensive front that struggled to defend the paint.
“I thought our guys were ready and I don’t think it was a letdown by our guys by any means,” Brother Rice coach Bobby Frasor said. “I felt like they were scoring every time down the court and luckily we had Josh Niego and Mike Shepski to match that. We were lucky enough to make some plays and stay in the game and pull it out.”
The Crusaders both nearly won and lost the game in the waning seconds of regulation. The Irish (13-4, 4-2) had a great scoring opportunity at the end of the game, but were thwarted by an excellent defensive play from Shepski (16 points), who stole the ball and nearly hit a 30-foot runner at the horn.
But ultimately McNamara’s upset bid was foiled by a 11-for-26 effort from the foul line.
Andrew 60, Bradley-Bourbonnais 37: Joey Krutilla contributed 23 points and seven rebounds for Andrew (11-7, 3-2 SWSC Red).
Beecher 71, Grant Park 35: Jarod Stolzenbach had 21 points and four steals to lead Beecher (13-7, 5-1 River Valley).
More Top Picks Best Garden Hose Nozzles
Bolingbrook 71, Lincoln-Way East 63: Dorian Aluyi and Sam Shafer scored 23 and 22 points, respectively, for East (13-9, 1-3 SWSC Blue).
Bloom 71, Kankakee 33: Austin Richie scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Bloom (13-5, 5-0 Southland).
Chicago Christian 85, Riverside-Brookfield 74: Malik Parker tossed in 33 points and Jack Ellison added 21 for Chicago Christian (12-7).
Evergreen Park 78, Oak Lawn 59: Kyree Hannah scored 20 points and Mike Drynan had 11 rebounds to lead Evergreen (12-8, 3-5 SSC Red)
Illinois Lutheran 49, Iroquois West 33: Caleb Moultrie’s 19 points led Illinois Lutheran (7-6).
Lemont 56, Reavis 38: P.J. Pipes scored 22 points to pace Lemont (11-8, 6-1 SSC Blue).
Marian Catholic 60, Notre Dame 58: Warren Allen had 19 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots for Marian (11-7, 2-2 ESCC).
Marist 49, Benet 45: Maurice Commander had 14 points to lead Marist (20-1, 4-0 ESCC).
Oak Forest 66, Tinley Park 59: Chris Coffey totaled 16 points for Oak Forest (10-8, 5-3 SSC Blue).
Rich Central 75, Rich East 69: Glen Abram poured in 20 points to boost Rich Central (4-11, 1-3 Southland).
Richards 72, Eisenhower 42: Jaylan Catledge posted 17 points and six rebounds for Richards (9-7, 5-3 SSC Red).
St. Laurence 66, St. Francis de Sales 44: Justin Wierzgac contributed 20 points for St. Laurence (7-11, 2-2 Catholic South).
St. Rita 67, Mount Carmel 48: RaShaad Williams had 22 points to lead St. Rita (10-7, 4-2 Catholic South).
St. Viator 49, Joliet Catholic 32: Peter Ragen scored a team-best 12 points for JCA (9-10, 1-3 ESCC).
Shepard 45, Argo 29: Marquel Porter’s 12 points led Shepard (8-9, 2-6 SSC Red).
T.F. North 82, Bremen 37: Mike Williams had 14 points to pace T.F. North (14-3, 8-0 SSC Blue).
Girls Basketball
Argo 58, Oak Lawn 32: Chatori Tyler (11 rebounds) had 25 points and Tadriana Heard added 22 for Argo (17-5, 9-0 SSC Red).
Lemont 62, T.F. North 30: Paige Terrazas contributed 10 points and five rebounds for Lemont (13-6, 7-1 SSC Blue).
Marist 64, Benet 45: Abby Callahan’s 17 points lifted Marist (21-3, 4-0 ESCC).
Men’s Volleyball
Lewis 28-25-16-19-15, Penn State 26-14-25-25-9: Ryan Coenen had 17 kills and Matt Yashimoto dished out 51 assists for Lewis (4-1).
Steve Soucie is a freelancer writer for the Daily Southtown. Freelance writer Josh Krockey contributed.