Prospect senior Andy Merklein led all scorers Thursday night with 19 points, including the game-winning free throw with 4.6 seconds remaining in overtime, as the Knights held on to defeat St. Viator 49-48 at Wheeling.
The Knights (6-4) have won three in a row and celebrated their first victory over the Lions in two years. Merklein also had a game-high nine rebounds and five blocks.
“I knew [the first free throw] was going in but didn’t know how,” said Merklein, whose shot bounced off the back of the rim before falling through. “I’m just happy I made one.”
Paul Zwiercan had 15 points and Jared Funk added 10 for the Lions (7-3).
Also, Matt Perkus scored 12 and Jeff Jordan 11 as Loyola slipped past Naperville Central 54-53. … Joshua Allen’s 30 points paced North Chicago over Libertyville 70-54. … Alex Washington had 22 points, leading Wheeling to a 61-57 victory over Maine West. … Foreman defeated Vernon Hills 58-45 behind 20 points from Donald Brown. … Notre Dame got 19 from Ken Rathunde to defeat Niles North 73-54. … Stanley Nunoo scored 27 to lead Streamwood past Carmel 56-35. … Lake Park defeated Stevenson 57-40 behind David Mikrut’s 24.
