Starting Lineup
PG. John Belardi #12 Jr.
SG. Jack kresich #10 Jr.
SF. Andre Parris #13 Sr.
PF. Remington Rofer #33 Jr.
C. Colby Brooks #20 Sr.
First Quarter
The Cubs began their home opener against league Rival Notre Dame High School by drawing one of the biggest crowds Leavey Gymnasium has held in a long time. The Cubs treated the packed gym to a high scoring first quarter ending the offensive onslaught with a score of 30-17. The first quarter was highlighted by a pair of back to back threes from Junior Remington Rofer and Senior Uriel Ferguson. Several plays after A stolen inbound by Senior Grant Roquemore gave the Cubs momentum and a strong lead heading into the second quarter.
Second Quarter
The Cubs came out strong in the second quarter with a stolen pass by Junior Jack Kresich leading to layup which put the Cubs up 32-17. Notre Dame responded with a deep three of their own to make the score 32-22 with 7:00 left. The momentum was soon regained by the Cubs following a strong block from Senior Christian Suceveanu. Following the block, a three by Remington Rofer increased the lead to 35-22 with 5:40 left. Notre Dame regained possession and drove the ball down the court several times to make the score 41-29 with 4:00 left. To end the quarter, Senior Colby Brooks attempted a deep three only to have it blocked but he grabbed his own deflection to score a layup to cap off a strong offensive performance by the Cubs. Final score at the half 50-38 Cubs.
Third Quarter
Senior Colby Brooks began the third quarter on a strong note by scoring an electrifying slam dunk to give Loyola a 61-44 lead. Remington Rofer followed with a layup to add to Loyola’s lead making the score 63-47 with 4:40 left. However, Notre Dame responded to Loyola’s strong offensive play by scoring a pair of baskets to make the score 67-52 with 3:13 left to play. Sophomore Jalen Cox capped off the quarter by scoring a layup to cement the score at 70-65 at the end of the third.
Fourth Quarter
To begin the fourth, Notre Dame came out strong by hitting a corner three to make it a one score game. However, Junior John Belardi responded with a deep three of his own which swung the momentum back towards the Cub sideline and brought the score to 76-68 with 7:02 left to play. Notre Dame soon after hit a three of their own, in response to Belardi’s which tightened the score to 76-71 with 6:14 left on the clock. Soon after, scores from Remington Rofer, John Belardi, and Colby Brooks brought the score to 81-77 with 2:36 left. The rest of the quarter was a hard fought defensive battle with few baskets being made on either side.After several costly fouls committed by Loyola, followed by made free throws, Notre Dame was able to tie the score up at 86-86 to end the fourth and force an overtime.
Overtime
Loyola started overtime off on a strong foot by winning the opening tip-off which resulted in a score by Colby Brooks who gave the Cubs a 88-86 lead. John Belardi sank a nice jump shot to make the score 90-86. However, Notre Dame pulled even with a pair of made layups to make the score 90-90 with 2:00 left in OT. Colby Brooks, who led Loyola’s offense throughout the entirety of the game, scored another layup to give the Cubs a one score lead with a little over a minute left to play. Both teams began fouling in hopes of stopping any fast break scores. With less than a minute left, free throws coming as results of fouling by both teams made the score 95-94 and gave Notre Dame their first lead of the night. Loyola regained possession with seconds left only to commit a costly turnover which ultimately led to Notre Dame running out the clock and winning the game with a score of 97-96. The Cubs fought hard in what was one of their best offensive performances of the season but unfortunately things ultimately didn’t go their way resulting in their first home loss of the season
Final Score
Cubs 96 // Knights 97