After playing a solid first half that saw them lead by as many as 13 points on Sunday afternoon, the Saint Ignatius Wildcats had a tough third quarter and were defeated by nationally ranked Our Savior New American School from New York, 64-59, in the annual Good Samaritan Hospital Flyin' to the Hoop Invitational at Trent Arena in Kettering, Ohio.

While excuses are not a part of Coach Sean O'Toole's approach, Saint Ignatius (9-3) took on the tall and talented Pioneers (8-6) less than 24 hours after defeating rival St. Edward, 58-56, in Sullivan Gymnasium on Saturday night (see the corner's story below).

Right after their emotional victory over the Eagles, the 'Cats boarded a bus, headed for Kettering, Ohio near Dayton and got a few hours of sleep before facing a team that is laden with gifted players from different nations and continents.

Saint Ignatius came out strong in the first half on Sunday afternoon and, undaunted by Our Savior's superior size, took the ball to the basket and led, 37-28, at halftime. The Wildcats were playing without their talented senior post Alec Papesch, who suffered a broken wrist during the pre-game warm up for the St. Edward game.

Our Savior, which plays a who's who national schedule, unleashed its offense in the third quarter and, aided by some key turnovers, outscored Saint Ignatius, 15-2, over the next eight minutes.

The Wildcats, ranked seventh in this past week's Division I state poll, knotted the score at 43 on a strong move down low by 6-6 junior post Eric Black and two free throws by 6-5 senior post/forward and tri-captain Derek Sloan.

Trailing, 49-43, with 5 minutes and 50 seconds remaining, Saint Ignatius got a huge offensive lift from senior guard and tri-captain Francisco Santiago and closed to 50-47 on the second of two text-book pump-fake moves by "Cisco."

Our Savior appeared to be in position to seal the deal, as the team from the Big Apple pushed its lead to 58-49 with 1:45 left.

However, Coach O'Toole's Wildcats did Ohio and Cleveland proud as they closed to 58-56 on a 3-pointer by Santiago, a free throw by Sloan and three clutch free throws by Santiago after "Cisco" was fouled while attempting another 3-pointer.

The Pioneers answered with two free throws, but the ice-in-his veins Santiago fired home an off-balance 3-pointer and Saint Ignatius trailed, 60-59, with 11.4 ticks on the clock. Santiago finished with a game-high 23 points, Eric Black tossed in 14 points and Sloan pulled down 10 rebounds.

Junior guard Kevin Little sank two big free throws for Our Savior and the Pioneers held on in the final 9.2 seconds.

Coach O'Toole's team will now focus on Friday night's home game against the Strongsville Mustangs. It will be "Coaches Versus Cancer" night in Sullivan Gym.

Have a safe and enjoyable ride home, gentlemen. You did the area proud, to say the least.