St. Viator goes ice-cold late, falls to St. Patrick

St. Patrick is a difficult place for a visiting team to win under any circumstances.

When you can't make a basket in the fourth quarter, it's downright impossible.

St. Viator found that out the hard way Saturday night, falling 64-48 to the Shamrocks in the East Suburban Catholic Conference.

The Lions might have suffered some fatigue in the final eight minutes, playing back to back ESCC games after defeating Marian Catholic on Friday night in Arlington Heights.

"I'd like to think they weren't tired," said Viator coach Joe Majkowski, "but the reality is with back-to-back tough games, it's a possibility."

The Lions showed no early signs of weariness.

Senior guard Alan Aboona (team-high 19 points) nailed three 3-pointers in the first two minutes as Viator grabbed an early lead.

But a cold streak - one in which the Lions didn't score for almost six minutes - helped St. Patrick to a 47-41 halftime advantage.

"They extended their defense," Aboona said. "They didn't let us get into the paint, which hurt us."

A determined effort from Viator senior forward Richard McLoughlin (15 points) helped the visitors close within 2 late in the third quarter.

But it was fourthh quarter of missed opportunites for the Lions (7-2, 1-2) as they went 0-fer from the field and missed some key free throws.

Shamrocks 6-foot-5 junior forward Jacob Williams (22 points) and 6-6 junior Darien Walls (13 points) sparked a run in the final few minutes that put the game out of reach.

"We got off to a good start," Majkowski said. "Then I think we relaxed a little, and they put a streak together which hurt us.

"They're a good team with a lot of skilled players and that showed tonight."

St. Viator's 6-3 forward Jack Etchingham, who led the Lions with 16 points in Friday night's win, was held to 5 by the Shamrocks.

"Different type of defense," Majkowski said.

"Jack likes to take the ball and drive to the basket, which is hard to do against this team."