(Trent Johnson had a big game for Mishawaka)

 

 

Marquette Catholic traveled to Mishawaka riding an 11-game winning streak. The Cavemen brought their nine-game streak into the contest. The game featured a match-up of dynamic guards – Marquette’s Brit Harris and Mishawaka’s Trent Johnson.

 

Marquette jumped out to a 10-0 lead behind a three-pointer from Harris. It took more than four minutes for Mishawaka to get on the scoreboard. The Cavemen’s first points came on a DaVonn Parker three-pointer.

 

Johnson entered the game averaging 22 points for Mishawaka. In the first quarter, he was held scoreless. He changed that in dramatic fashion to begin the second. The senior guard finished an alley-oop off a set play with a reverse dunk. Johnson exploded for 10 points in the period.

 

The second period was action-packed. Not only did Johnson go off, but Harris scored 12 points for Marquette. He found his stroke from the three-point line as he buried three triples in the stanza. By halftime, he had 17 points.

 

Mishawaka was aided by Maddux Yohe. The sophomore guard also scored 10 points in the quarter to keep the Cavemen step for step with the Blazers.

 

At halftime, Marquette held a 35-31 lead. A couple of Mishawaka technical fouls were the difference.

 

In the second half, Mishawaka turned up its defense. The Cavemen scored the final first-half bucket then scored the first eight points of the second half. The run gave Mishawaka its first lead of the game. As the Cavemen increased its pressure, Marquette struggled to find clean looks. The only Blazer that could cash in was Lukas Balling. He scored eight of Marquette’s nine three-quarter points.

 

A bit more than a minute into the fourth, Johnson hit a kick-out three to push Mishawaka’s lead to 53-47. Marquette did not go quietly as Jason Kobe answered with a three followed a few possessions later by a Harris triple to pull the Blazers within one.

 

After Johnson missed a three, Balling scored inside to swing the lead back to Marquette’s favor. It looked as if Marquette was going to stretch its lead after a Mishawaka turnover, but Harris was called for an offensive foul. That call was followed by a technical foul on Harris. The Cavemen took advantage of it by making the technical free throws then Brendan Williams scored on the ensuing possession.

 

In the final minute, Marquette missed a couple of free throws and could not get a three-pointer to drop. Johnson and Williams made a few free throws to close out the 62-56 Mishawaka win.

 

Trent Johnson led Mishawaka with 23 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Yohe added 12 points; Williams recorded eight points, and Parker finished with seven points and nine rebounds.

 

In the loss, Harris tallied 23 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Balling ended with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Kobe added 13 points and six rebounds. Kaden Manna had three points, seven rebounds, and three assists.