In almost every sport, DeMatha and Gonzaga are bitter rivals, so it was no surprise that when the two basketball programs met up on January 2, it was fought to the bitter end.
DeMatha went into the game with an impressive 21-1 record, placing them 1st in Maryland and 18th in the DigitalSports National Basketball Rankings. Gonzaga, another top team in Maryland, has a 13-9 record and 6-2 within the state.
The lead swung back and forth throughout the entire game. Gonzaga looked like it had started to break away with just under three minutes to go, gaining a 48-41 advantage. That is when the Stags completely turned it on, scoring 11 straight points before the end of the quarter to lead 52-48 going into the final quarter.
Both teams kept their composure and refused to let the other run away with the game. The Eagles caught up with DeMatha in the fourth, even gaining a 61-60 lead.
Enter junior sharpshooter Nate Darling. Picked out by Terrell Allen, Darling lost his defender with a pump-fake and then drained a fade-away jump shot, giving DeMatha back the lead. After Gonzaga failed to convert on the ensuing drive, the Eagles were forced to foul. DeMatha successfully held off Gonzaga for the remained of the game, winning the game 66-61.
Fans of the intense rivalry will not have to wait long to watch the two Maryland heavyweights face off again. DeMatha hosts the Eagles on February 4 in the WCAC tournament.
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