Josiah Nance, a 6-foot-4 junior guard, volunteered to guard 7-foot-4 Cherif Millog of St. Francis in the third quarter of a tight game Thursday night.
“It was a challenge,” he said. “They let us be tough. Most physical guys win.”
Nance couldn’t have been more correct. Despite three fouls, he was able to guard Millogue so effectively that Notre Dame turned a five-point halftime lead into a 20-point surge through three quarters en route to a 71-48 victory.
Millogo picked up three offensive fouls in the second half because of his frustration. He was also limited to four points after scoring 13 points in the first half.
Nance said it was the first time he had observed someone close to that tall, and he accepted the challenge.
“We were trying to get under it because it’s huge,” Nance said. “Every time he caught it in the post, we doubled him. I love defense.”
Notre Dame coach Matt Sargeant said, “All-time defensive performance.”
NaVorro Bowman led Notre Dame (15-6, 2-2) in scoring with 21 points. Zach White added 15 points. It was a key Mission League victory and kept the Knights’ Open Division playoff hopes alive. St. Francis fell to 18-4.
Crespi 63, Chaminade 52: Isaiah Barnes had 18 points and Cayman Martin added 16 points for the Celts.
Harvard-Westlake 47, Loyola 36: Joe Sterling finished with 13 points for the Wolverines.
Sierra Canyon 83, Bishop Alemany 48: Maxi Adams contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds and Brannon Martinsen added 18 points for Sierra Canyon (17-1, 4-0).
Arcadia 72, Crescenta Valley 54: Owen Eteuati Edwards had 23 points and 18 rebounds for Arcadia.
Milken 70, AGBU 32: Grayson Coleman made eight of 11 from 3-point range and finished with 30 points.
Etiwanda 61, Rancho Cucamonga 56: Achilles Orji had 20 points for Etiwanda.
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