Marmion closes strong
Marmion started lethargically in each of the first three quarters, but certainly strung together a series of impressive finishes.
The Cadets went on an 18-3 run over the final five minutes of the first half and ended the third with another 15-5 spurt to collect a convincing 66-51 triumph over Harlem Friday afternoon at the Chuck Dayton tournament in DeKalb.
A surging Marmion squad won for the sixth time in eight games after an 0-3 start and improved to 2-0 in pool play heading into Monday’s tournament contest against Sterling.
“We had the same lulls at the start of quarters so that’s something we’ll have to address, but our energy definitely picked up when we brought guys off the bench,” said Marmion coach Ryan Paradise.
Senior forward Pete Stefanski delivered a sparkling 24-point, 7-rebound performance while junior guard Alex Theisen tallied 15 points and grabbed 6 boards.
“Those are two guys that are capable of that,” Paradise said. “They’re getting more comfortable in seeing where they fit in and where they’re going to get their shots from.”
Harlem (6-4) connected on five 3-pointers to seize a 25-18 lead midway through the second quarter before Marmion stormed back.
Jake Ruddy hit a 15-foot baseline jumper, Jeff Garofolo (9 points) drained a 3-pointer from the corner and Stefanski scored on a nice feed from A.J. Friedman to even the score.
Harlem briefly regained the lead on a trifecta from Kyler Hayes, but Stefanski answered with a 3-pointer after Ryan Glasgow’s offensive rebound.
The frantic final two minutes featured a Stefanski tip-in and 3-pointer while Ruddy added a transition layup to put Marmion up 36-28 at halftime.
“We just settled down into our offense, moved the ball well, and started taking the shots we take in practice,” Stefanski said.
The Huskies switched from man defense to a zone and climbed back to within 38-36 early in the third, but Marmion clamped down defensively and flexed its superior size and muscle to pull away.
Glasgow (8 points, 8 rebounds) scored on consecutive possessions inside, then kicked the ball out to Stefanski for a 3-pointer.
Theisen closed the quarter by burying another trifecta and a 12-foot jumper for a 53-41 advantage.
Marmion opened the fourth with a 9-2 run to build its largest lead at 62-43.
“We were able to recognize what defenses they were in and worked the ball around into the big guy and then back out to the shooters,” Theisen said.
The Cadets enjoyed a 40-22 rebounding advantage and shot 48 percent from the field, including a solid 7-for-18 effort from 3-point range.
“It was a team effort on the boards and that allowed us to get out in transition,” Paradise said.