Short-handed McAuley turned a three-point halftime lead into a 16-point lead by the end of the third quarter en route to a 51-41 win over Northeast Vernon County.
Playing without two starters and their sixth man, the Warriors (4-5) outscored NEVC 18-5 in the third period to take firm control of the lead and held on down the stretch.
“I was pleased with the win tonight,” McAuley coach Tony Witt. “Glad to see our bench step up facing adversity. Took us a while to get going, but made a few adjustments at halftime, had a good third quarter and was able to hold on in the fourth.”
Rocco Bazzano-Joseph knocked down six 3-pointers on the way to a team-high 18 points. Noah Black finished with 14 points.
McAuley is at Galena, Kansas, on Monday.
