By Henry Barsch ‘20

Every year, it is one of the most anticipated basketball matchups on the South Side of Chicago: Marist vs. Brother Rice. People from all over come to watch the two rivals slug it out for a years’ worth of bragging rights.

This year’s edition took place on Tuesday at Marist, with Rice winning the contest 55-47. The head-to-head record of the two teams is now 17-15 in Rice’s favor.

The game had an electric feel as always, with both the Marist and Rice student sections cheering for their team the best they can. The game was also close the entire way, with Marist leading after the first, second, and third-quarters.

But close only cuts it in horseshoes and hand grenades, as Rice stormed ahead to take the lead in the fourth-quarter and took it all the way to the bank.

Marist seemed to have offensive control in the first-half, but Rice’s defense did not let up. Marist struggled with finishing the entire game, missing many key layups in crunch time.

Rice’s three-point shooting also got red hot in the fourth-quarter, with senior Rico Powell converting on multiple shots. He finished with 22 points, the most for Rice.

Marist had previously won over St. Rita down at the United Center in a huge rivalry game, and had a lot of momentum coming into the game. And to add insult to injury, Rice was missing a key player in Colin Campbell.

Rice was coming fresh off a Chicago Catholic League win over Providence Catholic and a triple overtime win over Richards.

Rice had multiple standouts, with senior Deandre Hagan putting up 12 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Conor Glennon added on five assists and a key steal. Junior Cullen Cosme for Rice stepped up bigtime, making some nice plays down the stretch.

As the game wound down, Glennon made two key baskets that staved off any hope for a Marist comeback.

After the game, the Crusader Crazies stormed out of the building in triumph, cheering all the way home.

Senior Ronan Dolan said, “I have never been to a game with more intensity in the stands, we were truly crazy.”

Senior Dan Golon said, “I was out of breath the entire game. It was so exciting.”

Marist’s next matchup is a conference matchup vs. St. Patrick on Friday, and they sit at 8-8 on the season. Rice’s next matchup is a CCL matchup vs. DePaul Prep on Friday, and they sit at 15-7 on the season.