St. Patrick 63, Carmel 41
After the St. Patrick boys basketball team defeated visiting Carmel 63-41, it was hard to believe how competitive the game was at halftime Friday night in Chicago.
The Corsairs overcame a slow start in the first quarter and only trailed 26-25.
"We got a 7-0 lead and it seemed like our guys thought the game was over," St. Patrick coach Mike Bailey said.
Even though St. Patrick is in first place in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, Carmel had every right to be confident. In the first meeting, Carmel extended the Shamrocks to overtime before losing 51-49.
"We knew we could play with them," said Carmel senior Jordan Sivertsen, who made a trio of 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 17 points.
Bailey was extremely disappointed with his team's defense in the first half.
"We were reckless (defending) the ball; that set them up for their drive and kick game," Bailey said.
In the second half, nothing came easy for Carmel. At the same time, St. Patrick made four of its seven 3-pointers in the final six minutes of the third quarter en route to a 46-31 lead.
St. Patrick (16-5, 9-1) maintained its 1-game conference lead. Carmel fell to 4-21, 1-10.
"We mixed it up defensively in the first half, but when you fall behind there's a limit to what you can do," Corsairs coach Jon Baffico said. "They knocked down some shots and that's what a good team does on their home court."
Two of Sivertsen's 3-pointers came from well behind the 3-point line.
"They didn't give us open shots," Sivertsen said.
Carmel senior David Venegoni hit two 3-pointers and had 7 points. Junior Jack Baucus contributed 4 points.
"We'd like to see them all in double digits in one night," Baffico said.
The Shamrocks had five players score at least eight points. Junior guard Tim Traversa, who hit the game-winner in the first meeting, had a team-high 14 points.
Carmel is off until next Friday's game against Marist.
"We're (continuing) to get ready for the (state) tournament," Baffico said. "All these games are great preparation."