Over the past 11 seasons, CFS has played St. Mary five times, falling to the Vikings four times before Thursday’s 46-43 win at home.
A tight game throughout four quarters, Coach Tyler Ryan said he told his team to be patient in the closing minutes of the game and focus on the things they can control, and they did just that after taking a one-point lead at 42-41 on a basket by junior Luke Grigg. In the closing 3.6 seconds, Grigg – who led the Eagles with 16 points – would step up and knock down two free throws for the three-point win.
“Composure was the biggest thing I was trying to stress to them…keeping your head in the game and finishing”, Ryan said, stressing to his players that when they have the lead, the clock is on their side.
After falling behind 6-2 to start the game, the Eagles scored the next six unanswered points – getting a three from senior Andrew Allen, a basket from junior Isaac Hovekamp and Allen with a free throw to end the first quarter up 8-6.
Allen scored the first three points for CFS to open the second quarter followed up by baskets from Hovekamp and Grigg to take a 15-6 lead. St. Mary cut the lead to 17-14 on a three and would tie the game on a three-point play by senior Jack Bell. Free throws from Hovekamp and a basket by Grigg gave the Eagles a 21-18 lead at halftime.
Coming out of the half, St. Mary senior Parker MacCauley tied the up at 23 a piece and two 3-pointers coming later in the quarter from MacCauley and senior Michael Lurtz gave the Vikings a four point lead at 29-25 and they held a 35-32 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Down 38-36 in the fourth, sophomore Andrew Dunning tied the game up and they would knot up two more times at 40 and 42 points before four straight at the free throw line by Grigg in the closing 12.9 seconds locked up the 46-43 win.
“They do all the little things and are a fundamentally sound team”, Ryan said of St. Mary, adding those little things are what he is trying to teach his team.
The 3-0 Eagles will play in the All “A” Classic on their home court Saturday at 5:00 against CCA.
CFS 8 13 11 14 – 46
St. Mary 6 12 17 8 – 43
SCORING
CFS: Grigg 16, Allen 15, Hovekamp 11, Dunning 4
CFS: FG 18/42, 3-Pt 1/1, FT 9/14, Reb 31
St. Mary: Bell 17, MacCauley 11, Lurtz 8, Willett 3, Haas 2, Fleming 2
