Lutheran Northwest surges in fourth quarter to defeat Oakland Christian
By Dan Fenner For MediaNews Group
AUBURN HILLS | Sometimes one big quarter is all it takes.
After hanging in contention without really asserting itself through three quarters Tuesday, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest rather suddenly found its groove in the final stanza to slip past Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, 42-35.
Key baskets around the rim by Josh Osani and Bennett Muhl plus just enough free-throw conversions helped the Crusaders maintain a two-possession lead over the last three minutes to avoid any late drama.
“I’m most pleased with our effort. They stuck to it,” Lutheran Northwest coach Andy Topie said. “It wasn’t going well all night and they grinded it out. We didn’t have our best shooting night, but defensively we stepped it up, especially in the fourth quarter. That’s where we made our statement.”
Oakland Christian vs. Lutheran Northwest boys basketball photo gallery
With two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Oakland Christian had built up a seven-point lead – its largest of the night. From that point on, however, the Crusaders outscored the Lancers 21-7 to come swiftly from behind.
A 3-pointer by Muhl tied the score just seconds into the fourth and was soon followed by another triple by Cameron Anderson that put Lutheran Northwest in front for the first time since the opening quarter.
“They were huge threes that couldn’t have come at a better time,” Topie said. “I think our freshman, Eryx (Daugherty), came in and provided some rebounding and some excitement that we hadn’t had. I think him coming in and stepping up was something that really sparked us.”
Oakland Christian was at its best in the second quarter when it limited Lutheran Northwest to just two points. Relying heavily on junior Daniel Siminski to score the basketball, the Lancers went into halftime with a 15-11 lead.
“Unfortunately, he’s the extent of our offense right now,” Oakland Christian coach Dennis Hopkins said of Siminski. “We have to get some other guys to make shots. Some nights they do, some nights they don’t.”
Playing without multiple starters and key reserves due to injuries and illness, Hopkins said his Lancers have had to significantly adjust their play to adapt to a diminished rotation of players.
“We were 7-1 and the first kid broke his foot. Another kid got sick and hasn’t been back to school since. That’s two starters,” Hopkins said. “Then we lost two more kids to ankle injuries, so we had four (players) out tonight. It’s been a grind. It’s probably one of the worst seasons for injuries and sickness I’ve had in 26 seasons. We just have to keep playing.”
Siminski finished with 19 points while senior Angelo Scafone recorded 12 points for Oakland Christian (8-8). Some of its injured players are expected back for the playoffs where the Lancers will seek a fourth consecutive district title.
Lutheran Northwest (8-6) was paced offensively by Muhl and Carter Rohman, who each scored 12 points.
The Crusaders still have a chance to earn a share of the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference’s Blue Division title, but will need to win three straight home games to earn a share.
“We’re just working on being consistent,” Topie said. “If we do that and worry about us, I think we’ll have a pretty good shot in March.”
Looking ahead, Oakland Christian will be on the road against Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood on Thursday, while Lutheran Northwest will host Whitmore Lake on Friday.
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