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Carmel hangs on to beat St. Patrick

Carmel Catholic is off to a great start in the East Suburban Catholic Conference boys basketball race after picking up its second straight victory Friday night.

But it didn't come easy and the Corsairs felt pretty lucky to hold off the St. Patrick.

Jonathan Roeser led the way with 20 points, 6 rebounds and a couple blocked shots in leading Carmel past St. Patrick 49-45 in an ESCC game in Mundelein.

The Corsairs also played the game without starter Kimahri Wilson, who sat out the game but was on the Corsairs' bench. According to Carmel coach Zack Ryan it's a team-related situation and he's expected to back in the lineup soon.

Carmel (7-4, 2-0) had control of the game in the first half holding a 24-17 advantage at halftime. St. Patrick (4-5, 0-2) seized the momentum and was able to take the lead a couple of times in the second half.

"We knew going into the game it would be a dogfight," Ryan said. "It usually is every year as it was at their place last year. We just had to be ready to step up and fight. It would've been a time, when (St. Patrick) took the lead in third and fourth quarter, we could've gone one of two ways. We went the good way and pulled out the win."

The Shamrocks' Austin Freeman scored 9 of his game-high 21 points in the third quarter and gave St. Patrick a 36-34 lead going into the final quarter. Dominic Galati hit a short jump shot that held St. Patrick in front 38-35 with 6:50 remaining.

The Corsairs made their push with eight straight unanswered points. Roeser hit a short jump shot followed by a clutch 3-pointer from Kylen Beals and then Roeser capped off the run with a 3-pointer for a 43-38 lead with 3:05 left.

"It was a good all-around game from me and for the team," Roeser said. "I've been waiting my time to be a leader. I've learned from a lot of good leaders. Just this year, I've felt like I should step up and fill that role."

Carmel maintained its lead the rest of the way making six more free throws in the final few minutes to ensure the victory. Freshman Bryce Moore made three of them and had 6 points off the bench.

"I work on free throws a lot," Moore said. "For me shooting free throws, I know if I miss one, I know what I have to do making the next one. It was really important to make them, making a free throw you can win a game. Missing one, you can lose the game."

Damone Williams-Gray added 9 points and 7 rebounds for the Corsairs.

"A win in this conference and being 2-0 is a really good start," Ryan said. "We're very happy about this win."

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