Mustangs Move Past Host Parkway South to District Finals

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In 2004, Marquette won a mid-season, non-conference game at Parkway South (then of the Suburban South).  Through several near misses over the years (including an excruciating four-overtime loss in 2006), the Mustangs had failed in every attempt to beat the Patriots on their home floor.  The eight-year string of futility ended tonight as the Mustangs upset this year’s undefeated Suburban West champs and the #1 seed in Class 5 District 3 by a score of 50-40.

The beginning of this evening’s game was eerily-reminiscent of Monday night’s first-round game versus Eureka.  By the 4:00 mark of the opening period, the Mustangs were 0/2 from the field and had committed five turnovers at that point but where fortunate to only trail 4-0.  The junior guard Chris Lenzen gave his team life coming out of a timeout with a steal and breakout layup to put his team on the scoreboard.  That Lenzen layup was quickly followed up by a Ryan Rosburg post move off a Dillon Jones feed.  Mitch Cox tallied the first of his two drives and buckets to the hoop in the first quarter.  With Matt Hink scoring on an inbounds feed jumper, the Mustangs closed the quarter strong, leading 11-8.

Brooks Gerrity was the offensive story early on in the second.  The sophomore guard hit on two three pointers in the first couple of minutes.  With Mitch Cox again driving and scoring, Marquette had upped their lead to 19-14 at that juncture.  Five straight empty possessions though put up a roadblock to the MHS momentum.  Even with Dillon Jones hitting a three late, the Patriots were able to chip away at the lead and take a one-point cushion into the locker room on a late offensive rebound and putback (23-22).

Jones connected in the opening possession of the third for the Mustangs to give them a lead they would not relinquish.  A nifty backdoor cut by Lenzen two trips later was turned into a lay-in as Cox found Chris streaking to the bucket.  Rosburg, who sat the last ten minutes of the first half with two fouls, made his presence felt at that point.  The 6-10 senior scored off a Jones feed.  Ryan was able to convert on two free throws to give his team a 33-27 lead.  Senior Jordan Singer was strong off the bench grabbing an offensive carom in the midst of the trees and laying it back in.  By the time Alex Winter hit a 14-footer from the right wing, Marquette owned a 36-30 advantage heading into the fourth. 

Ballhandling and free throw shooting were the story for the Mustangs late.  Having only shot eight free throws to South’s four heading into the final quarter, MHS took advantage of free throw opportunities via good ballhandling.  The fourth quarter state sheet showed only a lone Mustang turnover.  With the ball in their possession and the lead slowly starting to grow, Parkway South had to begin fouling.  Marquette, after having their lead cut to as few as three early in the period, began making the trek to the charity stripe with regularity (shooting 20 total free throws in the quarter).  In fact, MHS would make no field goals in the final quarter while attempting only three and none after the 5:00 mark.  Marquette would convert on 14/20 for the quarter and wrap up a 10-point victory to earn a fifth-straight berth in the MSHSAA Class 5 District title round.

The Mustangs will take on Lafayette in that title tilt Friday night, February 24 at 8pm at Parkway South. 

Leading Scorers:  Mitch Cox-12, Ryan Rosburg-11, Dillon Jones-10.  Leading Rebounders:  Rosburg-6, Alex Winter-6, Matt Hink-6.  Leading Assists:  Chris Lenzen-3.  HARD HAT AWARD WINNER:  Mitch Cox

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