Mater Dei Beats 3-Time Illinois Champion

Mater Dei High School allowed only six field goals in the first half, made six three-point shots and won the featured game of the St. Louis Shootout, defeating East St. Louis Lincoln, 62-48, Thursday night in front of 9,569 in Kiel Auditorium.

Mater Dei (5-0) overcame an 11-5 deficit in the first quarter when guard Glen Malone made a three-point shot midway through the second quarter. The Monarchs led, 26-19, at halftime and opened the second half with a 9-2 run that was capped by two free throws and a three-point shot by guard Chuck Gray.

Lincoln (3-2), three-time defending Illinois state champion, suffered its worst loss in four seasons. Lincoln made 31% of its shots. Mater Dei made 14 of 27 free throws and shot 38% from the field.

“The key was getting them into a halfcourt game and making them play defense,” said Gary McKnight, Mater Dei coach.

Lincoln forward Cuoano Martin scored 14 of his game-high 25 points in the third quarter and led a fourth-quarter comeback.