Spartans whip Marquette, 47-37

Coach Andy Farley had to be impressed with the way his Brookfield East boys basketball team bounced back from a 75-54 defeat to first-place Brookfield Central on Jan. 6.

The Spartans (7-6 overall) improved to 4-2 in the Greater Metro Conference by beating Marquette, 47-37, on Friday at home.

The victory was the third conference win in East's last four outings as the Spartans got back on the winning track.

The Hilltoppers got off to a 19-15 lead at intermission in a low-scoring first half. But East came out and tied their first-half production with a 15-6 third period. Brian Smith and Mike Eberle each scored five points to spark the quarter.

"We played a great third quarter," Farley said. "We really had balanced scoring overall. Defensively, it was our finest game of the season."

The Spartans took a 30-25 lead into the fourth quarter and then had a five-point advantage (17-12) to expand their lead.

In that fourth period Mikey Novak had eight of his 10 points and Smith added six. Smith had 14 points and Novak had 10.

Point guard Ryan McBride had another consistent game, scoring two, five, three and three to finish with 13 points, including 8-of-11 from the free-throw line.

The Spartans defense held the Hilltoppers without a double-figure scorer, as they were led by A.J. Mueller with eight.

UP NEXT

The Spartans have a tough battle at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at West Allis Central (3-3, 6-4), one of the most talented, but underachieving teams in the GMC.

The Bulldogs are led by guards Jarvis Garrett (12.7 points) and forwards Najeal McMillian (11.7) and Tonnie Collier (10.2). Forward Darvell Brown (8.4) and guards freshman Brandon Key (7.0) and Ron Turkvan (6.3) are also offensive threats.

The Spartans should have their hands full, so discipline will be a key to their success.

- Tom "Sky" Skibosh