Motzel’s big game not enough as Carmel Catholic falls to St. Viator

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Updated: January 16, 2012 10:44PM

Brandon Motzel’s mighty effort to bring Carmel Catholic out of an early 18-point hole was stymied by St. Viator’s glue-like defense on Friday night.

Motzel had a game-high 20 points and helped mount a late comeback attempt for the Corsairs (6-8, 1-2), climbing within six points before St. Viator seemingly cut off all paths to the basket and prevailed 66-52.

“We fought back,” Motzel said. “In the third quarter, we were right there. We let it slip. Viator played great defense and they were in our faces all night.”

On a night when the Lions (11-2) frequently shadowed Motzel with an extra defender, the senior guard still found ways to bully his 6-foot-7 frame to paydirt.

“I know it’s coming,” Motzel said of the added defender. “I try to do my best to get around them, draw contact and get a chance at the free-throw line.”

Carmel head coach Tim Bowen said he prefers Motzel keep looking to score.

“He gave a great effort tonight,” Bowen said. “We know we can’t always rely on Brandon. But he has to continue to be the guy for us that he was tonight.

“We have actually asked him to be more selfish at times,” he added.

St. Viator freshman Mark Falotico came off the bench to score 17 points and his swift defensive tact wreaked havoc to the Corsairs’ offense in the late stages.

Lions’ head coach Mike Howland said Falatico provided a “monster lift” and helped lead the charge defensively in the third quarter when Carmel put a 16-7 run together.

“The main thing we’ve talked about is staying on top of things defensively,” Howland said. “That’s where it all starts. (Friday) night, we got contributions across the board.”

Bowen said he was pleased with how his team battled back.

“We kept clawing back but we just couldn’t string together enough stops,” he said. “We needed that big stop. We just couldn’t finish.”

Motzel said he thought his team nearly took the momentum after climbing back within six points.

“We strung together a few stops and made some big shots,” he said. “I thought the momentum was ours at that point.

“We were right there, and then all of a sudden they hit a few big threes in a row,” Motzel added.

What the Corsairs were missing, Bowen said, was the “critical basket.”

“We needed to finish our shots,” he said. “I’m not sure this team is use to this sort physicality on defense. We need to be sprinting back on offense and get that critical basket.”

Corsairs’ senior guard Conor Jordan notched 12 points.

On the schedule: Carmel will travel to Joliet Catholic on Friday.