Late run leads Mather past Lions

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:48AM

Glen Heffernan Jr. plays with an assurance and knowledge of always having the green light.

It helps that his father is also his coach. He also has a knack for making the big shot. "He always tells me to shoot the ball, because even if my shot is not falling, to never stop shooting," Heffernan Jr. said.

The junior Mather forward converted a three-pointer from the left wing with 4:31 remaining to break a 31-all tie and ignite a 7-0 run that powered the visiting Rangers over Lincoln Park 46-39 Wednesday in Red-North action.

"I'm not saying this just because he's my son, but Glen has been in that position, of spending night after night in gyms where I've coached, hitting shots like that," Heffernan said.

"That shot changed the momentum of the game," Heffernan Jr. said. "It seemed like from that point on we wanted it more than them." Heffernan Jr. scored seven of his 11 points in the fourth quarter. Kyle Gordon followed Heffernan Jr.'s three-pointer with his own three-point play.

The Rangers (14-3, 4-1) forced seven Lincoln Park turnovers in the pivotal fourth quarter. Junior Lincoln Park guard Chris Heaney, who led the Lions with 11 points, converted his third three-pointer of the game that narrowed the deficit to 38-36.

Brandon Roby scored off a beautiful feed from Gordon and followed with two free throws. Heffernan Jr. scored on a breakaway lay up to put the game away. Gordon and Roby tied Heffernan Jr. with team-best scoring honors with 11 points apiece. Guard Kenneth Murphy added seven points.

"We have five good shooters on the team, and I always tell them to keep shooting, because even if they're off, at some point they're going to get a hot streak going," Heffernan said.

Mather also took advantage of a key absence. Lincoln Park 6-6 senior Darien Walls did not dress because of suffering from complications of the flu. "I scouted Lincoln Park twice, and he was their best player both games," Heffernan said. "He's definitely what you call a difference maker."

Adonis Lema added nine points and seven rebounds for the Lions (9-8, 4-1). Ramon Ajose also scored nine for Lincoln Park.

Mather seized command of the conference race. They are attempting to become the first team ever to win a Red division title a year after being elevated from the Blue. "The great thing is we now control our own destiny," Heffernan said. "We're four games away from making history."

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