Boys Basketball: Notre Dame surges past Niles West

Notre Dame was trailing by one point after the first quarter Tuesday night against Niles West, but a number of solid contributions from the bench and a strong defensive effort in the third quarter allowed the Dons some breathing room.

After limiting the Wolves to just three field goals and single digits in the third stanza, Notre Dame pulled away to earn a 60-49 victory in Niles.

Trailing 14-13 after the opening period, seven different players scored for Notre Dame (9-2), including four off the bench, allowing the Dons to build a 33-25 halftime lead.

Reserves Greg Leifel (nine points) and Joey Solita each buried three-pointers in the second quarter, while sophomore Jon Johnson connected on back to back baskets to open up the eight-point cushion. Johnson finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks.

While Niles West (2-6) was forced to extend their defense and guard the perimeter, it allowed the Dons to take advantage in the paint. Senior forward Joe Ferrici seven of his team-high 13 points in the third period, including two free throws that gave Notre Dame a 49-32 lead.

“We have a real well-balanced team, we have about four shooters who are really hot lately,” said Ferrici. “We are looking to get the ball to them and if we cannot, get it inside. When they are hitting (shots), they are going to come out to the shooters, so we are going to be wide open (inside). I thought that worked out well at times.”

Joe Younan knocked down four three pointers for Niles West and led all scorers with 18 points. He also hit a bucket at the third-quarter buzzer, and his three-pointer with 44 seconds left in the contest cut the deficit to 58-49.

The junior guard added two three-pointers in the first quarter, when the Wolves built a 14-13 lead after a long-distance shot by Cory Dolins (eight points).

“They play hard, they never gave up,” Dons coach Tom Les said of the Wolves. “I thought our third quarter was pretty good and that got us the spread, but then we kind of relaxed and they took advantage of it.”

The Wolves struggled from the field after the intermission, scoring just nine points in the third period. The difference in Notre Dame’s intensity was noticeable.

“Coach (Les) got on us a little bit at half time, just about playing a little harder,” said Ferrici. “We really stood back on defense early, and after half time, we just really wanted to bury them and put them away.”

Junior guard Donte Stephenson added six points, along with five boards and five assists for the Dons.

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