WHEELING — The Notre Dame boys basketball team ramped up its defensive intensity against Naperville Central to turn a five-point deficit into a three-point lead to begin the fourth quarter.
The Dons sustained a slight lead for much of the final 5 minutes, 19 seconds and earned a 48-41 victory on Friday evening in the Wheeling Hardwood Classic semifinals. They remained in front by continuing to stifle the Redhawks’ deliberate offense. They also drained all 16 of their free throws in the fourth quarter.
Junior forward Ammar Becar (20 points, five rebounds) and senior guard Joe Mooney (17 points) combined to go 14-for-14 from the line in the fourth.
“Ammar and Joe are both 90 percent free-throw shooters,” Notre Dame coach Tom Les said. “Frankly, when those two guys go to the line, I feel pretty good about it.”
With the win, the Dons (10-1) advanced to play Lake Park at 8:45 p.m. Saturday in the final. The Lancers beat Fremd 47-40 in the Friday’s first semifinal.