Before the game, Munster senior guard Luka Balac received a ball commemorating his 1,000th career point that he scored against Bishop Noll last week. Then, the lefty ensured that he won his last game on Munster's court as he scored 19 points to beat Victory Christian.

 

VCA is a non-IHSAA team, but the Lions have played a tough schedule - Hammond, St. Joe, Marquette, Bowman Academy, Calumet, and Culver Academies to name a handful. Early on, it looked like Victory Christian was up for the challenge. Lincoln Thomae, VCA's leading scorer, began the scoring with a deep three, then found Ethan Ogorek for a layup to give the Lions a 5-0 start. The Lions carved up the notorious Munster zone as VCA made four of its first five shots. 

 

After the first few minutes, Munster returned the favor by began attacking VCA's zone with aggression and precision. VCA led 11-8 with 2:30 to play in the first quarter, but Clayton Bubash and Balac scored the last five points of the quarter. That run continued deep into the second quarter as Dane Hamilton and Jeremiah Lovett slashed through the VCA zone defense. Midway through the second period, Munster's run reached 14-0, and the Mustangs led 22-11.

 

Caleb Herold came off the bench to score consecutive baskets for VCA, but the buckets were just a Band-Aid. The Lions only managed six points in the second quarter and trailed 26-17 at the half.

 

A couple of minutes into the second half, Balac took a pass from Bryce Schaum and buried a three. It was the start of a dominant period for Balac. The senior scored 14 points in the quarter as Munster's lead swelled to 22 points. Balac's scoring barrage was highlighted three three-pointers and an and-one. His exploits ended the Victory Christian hopes of a comeback.

 

Balac did not play in the fourth quarter, but Schaum, Hamilton, and Keith Kaszycki made sure Munster cruised to its 17th win of the season. The Mustangs were 11-23 from three-point range on their way to a 70-45 victory.

 

Balac finished with 19 points, three assists, and three rebounds. Schaum connected on four triples for 12 points; Bubash added 11, and Lovett scored eight. Hamilton and David Cundiff each scored seven points, and Kaszycki tallied six. Overall, Munster had 15 assists compared to six turnovers. The Mustangs also had 13 steals leading to 21 points. VCA scored zero points off the Munster turnovers.

 

Thomae recorded 16 points, five assists, and five rebounds, but Munster did a great job on him defensively. He was only 6-16 from the field. Herold contributed eight points four rebounds off the bench. The best thing VCA did throughout the game was offensive rebound. The Lions grabbed 16 offensive rebounds to score 18 second-chance points. Flynn Carlson had five offensive rebounds and nine overall. 

 

17-5 Munster received a draw in Sectional 1. The Mustangs play the winner of Morton and Highland with Gary West Side, Lake Central, and Merrillville on the other side of the bracket.