Boys Basketball: LJ McIntosh key in Marist’s ‘W’ vs Nazareth

Updated: February 3, 2012 10:08PM

Marist guard L.J. McIntosh was all over the floor against Nazareth, hitting jump shots, creating off the dribble and being an all-around terror on the floor.

Twice he intercepted Nazareth passes and coasted in for easy baskets.

“Our defense was really the story of the game,” McIntosh said.

The junior scored 17 points and keyed three double-figure scorers as the Redhawks opened the game with a 12-0 run to cruise past the Roadrunners 62-43 Friday night.

McIntosh scored 11 points in the first half.

“I was really proud of the effort of the kids tonight,” Marist coach Gene Nolan said. “I knew we had a good group of players that was capable of this kind of performance against a good Nazareth team that has a lot of very good young talent.”

Marist (19-5, 3-2 East Suburban Catholic) started hot and never let up. McIntosh opened the game with a leaner that ignited a 12-0 start. Senior guard Tyler Oden (11 points, four assists) drilled two three-pointers and junior guard Lexus Williams scored seven first quarter points as the Redhawks ran out to a commanding 24-4 lead after the first quarter.

“Our defense did a great job, and that created for our offense and we just never let them get into the game,” Williams said. Marist converted three three-pointers in the first quarter, five in the opening half in running out to a 36-17 lead at the break.

Nazareth failed to score the opening four-and-a-half minutes, and tallied just two first quarter field goals, both by junior guard John Bonk.

Sophomore center Nic Weishar’s jumper provided the largest lead, 29-7, in the first half. McIntosh dominated not just offensively but at the defensive end. He registered five of the team’s 14 steals the Redhawks repeatedly capitalized into fast-break opportunities. He also had four assists.

“It was very important that we come out and get a fast start and not let up,” he said. Marist’s balanced attack and precise passing game proved too difficult for the Roadrunners to overcome. Williams scored nine of his 12 points in the first half.

Nazareth (7-13, 1-4) made one push early in the fourth quarter. Bonk drilled a three-pointer from the left wing on the opening possession that pulled the Roadrunners within 47-31. Senior forward Matt O’Reilly (eight points) hit a short jumper that launched an 8-0 Marist run that put the game out of reach.

“I thought we got some really good leadership from our seniors tonight,” Williams said.

Weishar contributed eight points and eight rebounds for the Redhawks.

Bonk scored 12 points to lead the Roadrunners. Seven-foot freshman Tyler Jackson added six points and six rebounds.

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