Notre Dame runs down a win over Sikeston

~ The Bulldogs notched an 86-75 victory over their conference rival.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Notre Dame turned Friday's SEMO Conference boys basketball game against Sikeston into a track meet -- and the hometown team just couldn't keep up, as Notre Dame raced away for an 86-75 victory at the Field House.

The victory in the battle of the Bulldogs gives Notre Dame (8-1, 2-0 SEMO Conference) the inside track at getting the top seed in February's Class 4 District 1 Tournament. For Sikeston, the loss leaves last season's Class 4 state runner-up searching for answers.

"We beat them up and down the floor, in the first half especially," Notre Dame coach Paul Hale said. "They got a little tired. We were tired, too, but it seemed like we were a little more fresh than they were."

After a back-and-forth first quarter, Notre Dame took control of the game in the second period.

Notre Dame led 25-23 after one quarter and outscored Sikeston 15-3 to open the second quarter.

Sikeston (4-3, 1-1) never recovered from the run, as Notre Dame maintained at least an eight-point lead the rest of the night.

Notre Dame led by as much as 43-28 in the second quarter, but Sikeston managed to trim the lead to 45-35 by halftime.

The Bulldogs maintained a double-figure lead through most of the third quarter -- only one time Sikeston got the lead under 10 -- as they led 69-57 heading into the final frame.

Sikeston got as close as 71-63 with 5:47 left to play, but Notre Dame rattled off six straight points to bump the lead back to 14. Austin Greer scored two baskets and Ty Williams added another off a steal by John Unterreiner.

"We were very sluggish, but you have to give them credit," Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield said. "They played with great intensity, they were well-prepared. They took away so many things we wanted to do, and I thought they were exceptional offensively tonight. That's a really good basketball team."

Greer finished with 28 points, most coming on back-door cuts and breakaway layups. He had 16 points in the first half and was 6-for-8 from the free throw line for the game.

"He's a good finisher, and he's playing out of position, but he can finish around the basket, and that's why I put him down there," Hale said.

Ryan Willen, a 6-foot-7 junior, had 20 points. Williams, a senior, and Unterreiner, a sophomore, each had 14 points for Notre Dame.

Sikeston was led by senior Julian Beard with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore forward Michael Porter scored 17 points with 14 rebounds. Matt Ritch scored 12, and Isaac Porter added 11.

Sikeston played without starting forward Ray Rodgers, who is out for five weeks with a broken hand.

"They were missing Rodgers -- this was the first game without him," Hale said. "We just had a good lead an we were able to hold on to it.

"I know Sikeston is a fine team, and I guarantee you they'll be all we can handle and more come district time."

Notre Dame 86, Sikeston 75

Notre Dame 25 20 24 17 -- 86

Sikeston 23 12 22 18 -- 75

NOTRE DAME (86) -- Abe Dirnberger 5, Ty Williams 14, Chad Friend 2, John Unterreiner 14, Austin Greer 28, Ryan Willen 20, Logan Glueck 3. FG 36, FT 12-22, F 17 (3-pointers: Dirnberger 1, Williams 1. Fouled out: none)

SIKESTON (75) -- Julian Beard 25, Brandon Washington 6, Blake Taylor 2, Matt Ritch 12, Steven Jackson 2, Isaac Porter 11, Michael Porter 17. FG 30, FT 12-18, F 17 (3-pointers: Beard 1, Ritch 2. Fouled out: none)