Falotico, St. Viator edge Hersey
St. Viator’s Mark Falotico was the most surprised player at Hersey’s Ken Carter gymnasium when he was fouled with 15.6 second left in a 57-57 tie.
Falotico buried both shots for a 59-57 lead and the Lions held on for the nonconference win against the Huskies 61-57.
Ore Arogundade played defensive hero moments later by stealing a pass on the side line with :08 left and hitting St. Viator’s final 2 free throws with six seconds remaining.
“I was surprised when they fouled me,” said Falotico. “But with the game on the line I wanted to have the ball. This was a big win for us after Saturday night’s loss (at Geneva). This was a good game to play against our neighborhood rival.”
Arogundade led the (16-7) with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Falotico scored 18 and Patrick Martin 12.
Falotico had 13 of his points in the second half.
“I think this game will give me confidence,” said Falotico. “Some games you score 15 points and others less. But we played good defense when we had to and got the win.”
“This was a good game for Mark scoring,” said Lions coach Mike Howland. “He had been in a little slump the past few weeks. When he scores for us, the others follow.”
St. Viator appeared to have a clear path toward a victory after taking a 24-12 lead following the first quarter. Arogundade accounted for 12 points in the period.
Hersey (7-16) came back with a 19-10 second-quarter scoring edge to pull to within 32-30 at the break. Mike Fuerst (10 points, 5 rebounds) scored 6 points in the quarter and Alex Sutrinaitis (17 points) scored 4.
Falotico hit for a 3-point basket and then a layup to stretch the Lions’ lead to 46-40 before Payton Haas’ basket made it 46-42 as the quarter ended.
Hersey tied the score twice — at 55, and at 57 with 1:33 left after 4 free throws by Alex Mueller (11 points). But the Huskies could never get the lead.
“We had a cople of breakdowns both on offense and defense late in the game,” said Hersey coach Steve Messer. “But we played well in all four quarters. We just need to keep building on that type of consistency. We have not had a easy schedule and we have two tough opponents, with Elk Grove on Friday and at St. Patrick Saturday night. It will help us get ready for the tournament.”