Boys Basketball: Marist’s Nic Weishar sinks free throw to top Benet

Updated: February 17, 2012 10:02PM

Standing at the free-throw line with a chance to win the game Friday against Benet, Marist’s Nic Weishar had a flashback.

Against Harlan earlier this season, Weishar missed three of four free throws in the closing seconds before hitting the game-winner after rebounding his own miss.

Having missed the first of two in a tie game Friday, the sophomore forward made sure a rebound wasn’t necessary. Weishar made his second free throw with two seconds left to lift the host RedHawks to a 50-49 East Suburban Catholic win.

“I wasn’t going to let that happen again,” Weishar said. “I knew that second one was going in. I’m thinking ‘I hit this,’ and there’s no alternative.”

Lexus Williams led Marist (22-5, 5-2) with 15 points and five assists. L.J. McIntosh added 14 points and Weishar finished with 13.

Weishar’s heroics came after Marist charged back from an eight-point deficit with less than three minutes to play.

Marist wiped away a 47-39 deficit thanks to a furious late run, Tyler Oden drilling a three-pointer and Williams tying the game at 49 with two free throws with 1:06 to go in the fourth.

After a Benet miss from beyond the arc, Marist corralled the ball with Williams killing the clock for over 30 seconds. His drive came up short, but Weishar rebounded the ball and was fouled to set up his game-winner.

Griffin Hanekamp (14 points), Sean O’Mara (12) and Bobby Wehrli (10) paced Benet (18-6, 3-3).

“One basket at a time,” Weishar said of the deficit. “We’ve been down before, and we have the heart (to come back).”

Forced to go the length of the court with two seconds left, Benet’s Pat McInerney missed a contested three-pointer at the buzzer.

“We got a good look, but we were just looking for a shot at the basket,” Heidkamp said.

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