Reversing a 16-point setback from earlier this year, St. Maria Goretti burst free from a low-scoring first half to build a 13-point lead at the end of three quarters before going on to a 48-39 non-conference win over Mercerburg (PA), Wednesday evening in Hagerstown.
Mercersbug opened the final quarter with an 8-0 run, but the Gaels regrouped and gradually pulled away again over the remainder of the period.
Point guard Nic Martin led the way for Goretti (5-14) as he netted a team-high 16 points, followed by 10 points each from Stephon Berry and Tyler Sterling. Martin was especially sharp at the free throw line, where he converted 7-of-8 attempts, leading a 12-of-16 effort for the Gaels.
Sterling gave his club a lift with a pair of three-pointers during its third-quarter surge, while Berry was beast in the interior with 15 rebounds and four blocks.
Next up for Goretti is long road trip, as the Gaels play at Archbishop Spalding on Friday night (7:00 p.m.). Both teams will enter the contest looking for their first Baltimore Catholic League win of the season.
The game will be broadcast live, as part of the DigitalSports MIAA/BCL Radio Game of the Week, presented by K-Benefit Solutions. The contest can be heard on Fox Sports AM 1370 and over the internet on DigitalSports.
St. Maria Goretti 48, Mercersburg 39
M: Dunn 17, Oostrum 12, Muller 2, Jefferson 4, Banta 4. Totals 16 3-8 39.
SMG: Wilkinson 4, Martin 16, Murray 4, Engle 4, Berry 10, Sterling 10. Totals 16 12-16 48.
Half: St. Maria Goretti, 14-10.
