Fielder, Mahoney Lead Lyons' 2-Point Victory at UIC

senior Spencer Mahoney made an uncontested, game-winning layup with 1.2 seconds left and the Lions, after a close call at the buzzer, escaped the UIC Pavilion with a 55-53 win over Proviso East—the Lions' 12th straight victory—in the opening game of the Annual McDonald's City-Suburban Showdown.

Out of a Lions timeout with nine seconds left, head coach Tom Sloan drew up a play he said had multiple options. Mahoney ended up overplayed down low and was able to sneak free to the basket. Senior Eric Powers found him from the top of the key.

“Eric made a great unselfish pass,” Mahoney said. “I was lucky enough to be in the middle of the court. I took one dribble, one step to the bucket and I was able to score.”

Proviso East junior Mike Nicholas heaved a desperation shot from just short of half court that clanged off the rim as time expired.

“My heart stopped for a second,” Lions senior Nick Zeisloft said of the would-be buzzer beater.

Senior Dylan Fiedler led the Lions with 14 points off the bench. Powers finished with 13 while Mahoney and Zeisloft tallied 11 apiece. Sloan emphasized his balanced lineup of unselfish scorers who can improvise and avoid being “robotic.” The coach said he was confident in everyone on the floor when the game was on the line.

“That’s really the key to our group—the fact that they’re willing to share the ball and find the open guy and take advantage of what the defense is giving us,” Sloan said. “Tonight there was a lot around the basket that was available.”

Proviso East was led by sophomore Sterling Brown, who scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds. Senior Tino Vazquez and junior Trashaun Carroll each scored 11 points. Carroll led all rebounders with eight.

“We look at this as a learning experience,” Pirates head coach David Chatman said. “Next week nobody’s going to know too much about these games.”

The Pirates jumped out to an 11-2 lead early, but the Lions cut the deficit and trailed 13-12 after the first. Sloan’s team outscored Proviso East 18-9 in the second quarter and carried an eight-point lead into the break.

Despite the quick lead, Chatman was not pleased with his team’s start.

“We can’t come out with the fire we started a few games with,” the coach said. “I don’t know what happened to it.”

In the third quarter, Proviso East chipped away and cut the Lyons lead to six, 44-38 and then tied the game at 46 with 5:45 left in the fourth on junior guard Keith Carter’s drive. The Pirates would tie the game twice more but never took the lead.

Proviso East dropped their second game in as many nights after winning 12 of 13 from Dec. 30 to Feb 12. They lost at Downers Grove South Friday night, 60-48.

“We’re too up and down right now; we’re inconsistent,” Chatman said.

The Lions, meanwhile, extended their winning streak to 12. Sloan’s team has not lost since an overtime affair to Downers South in the championship game of York’s Jack Tosh Holiday Classic on Dec. 30.

“This is a huge win for our guys. I’m proud as heck,” Sloan said. “We got ourselves down early and then with a lot of defensive effort got ourselves in the game.”

The Lions will finish their regular season at Proviso West on Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. The IHSA playoffs begin with Regionals on Feb. 28. The Lions will play in the Argo Sectional.