By Alan Goldenbach
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 25, 2008

There didn't seem to be anything worse for O'Connell than seeing All-Met guard Jason Clark lying on the court, wailing as he clutched his left ankle.

A few minutes later, the Knights looked up at the scoreboard as realized they had sunk lower -- a 16-point first-half deficit to DeMatha in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference semifinals. O'Connell needed its star more than ever.

After hobbling a bit, Clark shook off the sprain and scored 10 of his game-high 16 points in the second half to lead No. 8 O'Connell to an inspired 55-49 victory over the ninth-ranked Stags last night at Bender Arena.

"We realized at halftime that the game's not over," Clark said. "We had to slow down their offense and make them play our game."

That methodical, half-court style will get a stiff test tonight, when O'Connell faces top-ranked Gonzaga for the conference title. The Eagles' disciplined and patient attack wore down Carroll, 68-57, in the evening's first semifinal. Gonzaga won both regular season meetings against the Knights,

DeMatha (19-10) opened a 22-6 lead 9 1/2 minutes into the game, by pushing the tempo and shooting well from behind the arc. The Stags hit five three-pointers over that span, including three from junior Naji Hibbert.

But with DeMatha ahead 26-10 with 2 minutes 40 seconds to go before halftime, O'Connell gained some confidence. Five Knights scored as they went into the break on an 11-4 run.

The Knights (25-5) briefly switched to a zone defense in the second half, which helped slow the Stags, whose cold shooting already had left them clearly out of rhythm. DeMatha scored 22 points in the game's first 9:34, but just 21 over the next 22 minutes.

"We just stopped playing with the confidence we had in the first [quarter], and we gave them a chance over the final 90 seconds of the half," DeMatha Coach Mike Jones said. "Obviously, that momentum carried over to the second half."

O'Connell opened the second half on a 14-4 run to tie the game for the first time. Dave Eismeier's three-pointer with 18 seconds left in the third gave the Knights their first lead, 39-38, and they never relinquished it.

Sophomore guard Maurice Williams sealed the victory by making all eight of his free-throw attempts in the final four minutes.

In the first game, Gonzaga (29-1) made its selflessness look beautiful, and no one appreciated it more than junior center Ian Hummer.

While senior forwards Max Kenyi and Cameron Johnson may be the Eagles' most versatile players, each capable of taking the scoring lead on any given night, their penetration often attracted Carroll defenders, and freed up Hummer in the paint.

"I can't complain about that," said Hummer, who had a season-high 27 points.

The overwhelming majority of Hummer's 13 field goals last night came from within eight feet of the basket.

Carroll (16-11) also suffered when its top two players, senior Kris Joseph and junior Rodney McGruder battled foul trouble in the second half. McGruder fouled out with 4 1/2 minutes left, a minute after Joseph picked up his fourth foul.

Up Next: No. 8 O'Connell will face No. 1 Gonzaga in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference final tonight at 8 p.m., at American University's Bender Arena.

No Need To Camp Out: According to Gonzaga Athletic Director Joe Reyda, parking at the lot near Bender Arena is free after 5 p.m.