BYRON — Lourdes knew it had its hands full with Byron, having lost to the Bears by one points the last time the two faced this season.
It was more of the same Friday night. This time Lourdes won in another tense affair, prevailing 62-59 in two overtimes. That came after Lourdes fell behind 19-6 to begin the game.
The Eagles (6-2 Hiawatha Valley League, 13-6 overall) got a huge game from forward Shane McGrath. The senior had 22 points and 11 rebounds.
McGrath didn't play last season due to shoulder surgery.
"I couldn't be prouder of that kid," Lourdes coach Jim Daly said. "This is my seventh year of coaching here, and he ranks right up there for me. He competes as hard in practice as he does in games."
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Lourdes had to counter a terrific game from Byron star Evan Morris. The senior had 30 points.
"Morris is outstanding," Daly said. "We really had to run someone at him (late in the game) to try to stop him."
Byron had a chance to win the game in regulation, but missed a late try. Lourdes had a chance at the end of the first OT to win, but came up empty.
It was a big rebound and put-back basket by Chris Eickemeyer with six seconds left in the second overtime that gave Lourdes its final three-point lead. Byron then tried a desperation shot that missed.
The Bears are 3-5, 11-6 overall.
Lourdes 62, Byron 59 , 2 OT
LOURDES (62)
Adam Lentz 3, Nic Jensen 6, Sean Griffin 2, Joe Fritzjunker 3, Alex Kapraun 16, Shane McGrath 22, Chris Eickemeyer 10, Jacob Schaefer 0.
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BYRON (59)
Evan Morris 30, Taylor Kunkel 2, Ryan Baumbach 2, Dom Kieffer 2, Jack Nelson 5, Brooks Zamzow 12, Matt Dammen 2, Travis Smith 4.
Other stats:Morris was 13-18 from the field.
Halftime: BYR 28, LOUR 21.
End of regulation: 47, 47.
End of 1st OT: 56-56.
Free throws: LOUR 13-22, BYR 13-16.
Three-point goals: LOUR 5 (Kapraun 2, Eickemeyer 1, Lentz 1, Fritzjunker 1), BYR 2 (Morris 1, Nelson).
