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Loyola pulls out victory over Notre Dame
02/02/2013 WIlmette Loyola junior Kevin Kucera (1) sinks a three pointer in the second quarter during the "War On The Shore" tournament game against Notre Dame at Loyola High School on Saturday, February 2, 2013. | Michael Jarecki ~ For Sun-Times Media
Updated: February 8, 2013 1:39AM
WILMETTE — When it looked like the ninth-ranked Notre Dame boys basketball team was pulling away, Loyola junior guard James Clarke scored 10 points during a two-minute stretch early in the fourth quarter to keep the Ramblers in the game. He finished with a team-high 24 points and made all four of his free throws in overtime to lead Loyola to a 63-54 victory. The big win came at Loyola’s own War on the Shore and was the team’s 10th in a row.
“I knew I needed to step up,” Clarke said. “If not, we maybe lose this game. I had to come out and play more aggressively.”
Loyola junior guard Jack Morrissey connected on a 3-pointer — only his second of the night — at the 1:48 mark of OT that put the Ramblers ahead for good. He scored five of his 12 in the final four minutes.
Loyola (17-5) experienced no letdown from Friday’s emotional victory over St. Ignatius. The Ramblers jumped out to the lead from the start and held the advantage until midway through the third quarter. Loyola then showed its resolve after the Dons (18-4) took control. Notre Dame led 38-33 one minute into the fourth quarter.
Notre Dame played without senior guard and Air Force recruit Matt Mooney, who injured his back in Friday’s loss to Carmel. Senior forward Eddie Serrano led the Dons with 19 points.
Pick up your local Pioneer Press newspaper Thursday to read more about the Notre Dame and Loyola boys basketball teams.
