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A feast for McNamara, St. Viator

It was Big Mac time for St.Viator on Friday.

Senior Pat McNamara scored a career-high 28 points to lead the Lions past Marian Catholic 65-48 in Arlington Heights.

"We have come out a little flat in the third quarter," said McNamara, who scored 14 of his team's 16 points in the third quarter. "We had a 10-point lead at the time and we wanted to extend it. We did that tonight and that was good."

McNamara was on fire with this shooting, converting 10 of 15 from the field, including 5 of 7 outside the arc.

"I had it going tonight," McNamara said. "They played zone tonight against us - it has been tough at times to get open this year. But tonight my teammates were able to find me."

St. Viator (9-4, 3-0), which had lost 3 of its last 4 games, got a total team effort according to coach Quin Hayes to stay atop the East Suburban Catholic Conference.

"What brings us there is our defense," Hayes said. "And everyone contributes. They all know their roles and are very unselfish on the offensive end."

The Lions needed those type of performances to hold off a young and scrappy Marian Catholic (6-9, 0-3).

The Spartans, who started two freshmen and two sophomores, scored the game's first 5 points and led 12-11 late in the first quarter. But that's when the Lions began to find their stride.

Triggered by a 3-point basket by Kevin "Missile" Monson, St.Viator scored the next 10 points. The Lions hit 6 consecutive shots from the field, with Mark Falotico nailing three of those as they built a 26-14 advantage with 4:41 left in the first half.

"I got some open shots and the ball was flowing to me," said Falotico, who finished with 10 points. "They guys did a great job of finding me and it was easy to shoot over their smaller guards."

Marian Catholic made a run, closing to 26-24 with 2:33 left in the half.

But the Lions took command just before the end of the half. Again spurred by a 3-pointer, this one coming from Ricky Muench, St. Viator scored the final 10 points of the half, with Sal Cannella coming up with the final 3 off of an impressive steal, which he followed with a reverse layup and a free throw.

"I like to bring intensity to the team," said Cannella, who finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds. "I am a bigger guy, drawing defenders towards me, so I can get the open kick-outs. Pat was hot tonight, so we were to find him and he was able to knock down open 3s."

McNamara put the Spartans away with those 3s in the third quarter. The senior hit 3 treys, along with a pair of baskets and a free throw. He had all of 10 Lions' points in the third quarter until Cannella hit a basket at the buzzer, which gave the Lions a 52-36 lead.

"Pat was certainly on fire tonight and played a great game," Hayes said. "I tell the kids not to worry who gets the credit. Just get the 'W' up on the board at the end. And they have all bought into that."

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