La Salle ends Neumann-Goretti's winning streak at 73 games

La Salle knocked off visiting Neumann-Goretti, 65-62, Monday to end the Saints' Catholic League-record 73-game winning streak.

Neumann-Goretti, The Inquirer's second-ranked team in Southeastern Pennsylvania, won four straight Catholic League titles during the streak, which dated back nearly five years.

La Salle trailed by 10 points at halftime and four entering the fourth quarter, but Amar Stukes led the Explorers with 11 of his game-high 26 points in the final period.

Steve Smith knocked down six three-pointers and finished with 19 points for La Salle (8-3, 2-0 league), which has won four in a row.

The Saints' last loss came in the Catholic League quarterfinals against Monsignor Bonner on Feb. 16, 2008.

Roman Catholic held the previous record with 49 wins in a row from 1989-92.

Neumann-Goretti (7-4, 3-1) won its first six games this season before dropping four of its last five contests during a tough stretch that included tournaments in Oregon and West Virginia.

Ja'Quan Newton finished with a team-high 18 points for Neumann-Goretti.

Neumann-Goretti led by 34-24 at the half before La Salle chipped into the lead, outscoring the Saints by 19-13 in the third quarter. The Explorers dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring Neumann-Goretti by 22-15.

In other Catholic League action:

Lansdale Catholic rallied in the fourth quarter to drop visiting Monsignor Bonner, 59-49.

The Crusaders outscored the Friars, 25-15, in a decisive final period.

Lansdale Catholic's Andrew Riviello scored 11 of his game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter, and knocked down nine of 10 free throws.

Brian Rafferty sank four three-pointers and scored 17 points for Lansdale Catholic.

Public Division A. Brandon Austin scored 22 points and Basil Thompson had 21 to lead Imhotep Charter to an 82-35 victory at University City.

Public Division E. Dominick Morales scored a game-high 18 points for High School of the Future, which disposed of visiting Maritime Academy, 58-21.

Nick Miles chipped in 12 points for the winners.

Nonleague. Mike Giampietro scored 10 of his team-high 13 points in the second half to lead Devon Prep past visiting Holy Ghost, 49-46.

Devon Prep trailed by three entering the third quarter, but C.J. Kohlbrener's three with 2:30 left, his only basket of the game, put the Tide up for good.

Jack Kalmes led Holy Ghost Prep with 17 points.

Jihaad Fluellen stuffed the stat sheet in host Palmer's 53-48 win against Paul Robeson.

Fluellen finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and a three three-pointers.

Malachi Thompson led Palmer with 19 points and Teair Tart-Spencer grabbed 10 rebounds.

James Harrison paced Overbrook with 21 points, including 13 in the second quarter, en route to a 79-61 win over visiting Mairana Bracetti.

Qaadir Nock put up 17 points and Audenried beat host Palumbo, 80-53.

Sean Coughlin scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds in Bristol's 42-35 victory against visiting New Media Charter.

New Media Charter's John Fieffe was the game's only double-digit scorer, scoring 18 points.

Eliyau Korn led host Barrack Hebrew with 13 points in a 55-26 win against New Jersey United Christian.