Boys Basketball: Eddie Serrano powers Notre Dame past Crete-Monee

Updated: December 10, 2011 11:05PM

CHAMPAIGN — It took Notre Dame junior Eddie Serrano approximately 15 seconds to swing the momentum the Dons’ way in their 67-50 win over Crete-Monee on Saturday night at the Shootout at the Hall, which was held at Parkland College.

Less than a minute into the third quarter, Serrano converted an old-fashioned three-point play after being fouled by Crete-Monee’s Jordan Perry. Four seconds later, he hit another bucket. He then assisted a Matt Mooney three-pointer at the 6:55 mark that gave the Dons (8-2) a 40-30 lead.

Mooney led Notre Dame with 17 points, and Justin Halloran and Greg Leifel contributed nine apiece.

“We believe in defense at Niles Notre Dame,” said Serrano, who finished with 11 points. “I was in the right place at the right time and I was able turn it into points. As a team, we tend to help each other out quite a bit.”

Crete-Monee (4-2), who trailed 32-30 at halftime, never got closer than six points in the second half.

Laquon Treadwell made a shot early in the fourth quarter to trim the deficit to 51-45, but the Dons then buckled down defensively.

In the final 5:42, Notre Dame held the Warriors to five points, while scoring 15.

“Their guards never got a rest and that was great for us,” Notre Dame coach Tom Les said. “This group likes to play defense and that enthusiasm makes a huge difference.”

The Warriors got 17 points from Treadwell, and nine points and a five rebounds from Marius Hopkins.

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