Notre Dame defense shuts down Saxony

After Notre Dame's near-perfect first period and Saxony Lutheran's late run in the second quarter, the third period was going to be the deciding factor in whether Friday night's nonconference boys basketball meeting between the area's two private schools was going to be a contest or a rout.

The Bulldogs resumed their relentless pressure and reclaimed their 3-point shooting touch, and the rout was on.

Notre Dame posted a 74-43 victory in front of a full house for homecoming, as the state-ranked Class 4 team improved to 15-3.

"Outside of 3 or 4 minutes [in the second period], that was the best defensive game we've played all year," Notre Dame coach Paul Hale said. "John Unterreiner had a real good defensive game. He got it started for us with some key steals."

Unterreiner scored eight of his 10 points in a 2-minute span in the third period, knocking down two of Notre Dame's nine 3-pointers.

The Bulldogs also were 17- for-18 on free throws, as Ryan Willen hit seven of eight in his 18-point performance. Ty Williams added 14.

Saxony Lutheran (13-3), a Class 2 school, was led by its interior players. Ben Courtois scored 16 points, and Clay Obergoenner added 14. The rest of the team combined for 13 points.

The Bulldogs had an 18-1 lead less than 7 minutes into the game and led 18-5 after one period. They built the lead to 30-10 with 3:19 to play in the half, but Saxony scored the final eight points of the period.

"We almost shut out a real good team for a quarter," Hale said.

The Crusaders' late first half run to close within 12 points by intermission gave them some hope.

"I was really pleased with how our kids kept their composure and got back in the game a little bit," Crusaders coach John Daniel said.

But the Bulldogs were just as impressive with their 28-8 run in the third period.

"They were very good with their pressure defense," Daniel added. "Notre Dame has one of the best teachers of the match-up zone in Paul Hale, and it's hard to simulate what they do in practice."