Leo Toughs Out Victory Over Marshall, Back to Catholic League Play Tonight
By David Gross
For the second time this week, the Leo basketball team slipped into a comfort zone after leaving the opening gate in thoroughbred fashion.
The Lions (19-4) — who are now winners of nine straight — dominated the early in Thursday goings, racing to a 15-2 lead over host Public League Marshall (14-9) en route to a 56-50 final score.
Led by Brian Kizer, who scored 9 of his 20 during the opening-game run, opened with two three-point field goals. Marshall’s timeout cooled off the Lions, who ended the quarter with a 20-8 lead.
Leo’s sluggish offense continued into the second quarter as they only managed
eight points, allowing Marshall to cut the lead to five. Bench technicals sent Marshall to the line where they converted three of four technical foul shots to help cut Leo’s halftime lead to 28-23.
After half time, Marshall’s tenacious play kept Leo out of rhythm. Marshall’s momentum and forced turnovers cut the Leo lead to just one.
Both teams played a tightly contested fourth quarter, but the Lions locked in behind Kizer and Asa Harris’ 13 points.
Though the Lions led the entire contest, wins will be tougher to come by without complete game performances.
Earlier in the week, Leo allowed Immaculate Conception to stick around in its Catholic League 72-61 victory, after bolting to a big first quarter lead and looking very much like the team that cracked the Chicago Sun-Times Super 25 area rankings for the first time this week at No. 23.
The Lions – 6-0 in Catholic League White competition – tonight play conference foe and host Aurora Central Catholic, 1255 Edgelawn Dr. Aurora, Illinois.
Tip off is 7 p.m.
TONIGHT’S STREAMING OPPORTUNITY – $8
Leo v. host Aurora Central Catholic can be accessed at: www.team1sports.com/highschool/il/?S=accchargers
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