Notre Dame falls in final

Ruskin defeated Notre Dame 59-56 in the Class 4 boys basketball state championship game Saturday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

The Bulldogs (27-5) missed two 3-pointers in the final seconds that would have tied the score.

Ruskin finished 29-1 with 29 consecutive victories to close the season. The championship was the first for the Ruskin program.

Notre Dame fell behind 54-51 on a 3-pointer by Demetrius Henderson with 3:08 to play. The Bulldogs never caught up, closing to one (57-56) on Ryan Willen's 3-pointer with 1:36 to play.

The Bulldogs had a possession with a chance to take the lead but missed a shot, and Henderson hit two free throws with 28 seconds to play to set the final margin.

Willen led Notre Dame with 31 points and 11 rebounds. Austin Greer added 10 points.