McDonogh upsets No. 3 St. Frances, 72-64

BJ Andrews scored 29 points on an array of mid-range jumpers and transition buckets on his way to helping unranked McDonogh knock off No. 3 St. Frances, 72-64 on Thursday.

Kayel Locke added 22 points and Denzel Walker contributed 11 points off the bench for the Eagles (11-5 overall, 4-1 MIAA A).

Greg Lewis scored a game-high 30 points, including going 12-for-13 from the free throw line.  

Eddie Tarver chipped in 15 more for St. Frances (9-2, 3-2), which suffered its first loss and surrendered their hold on the No. 1 spot six days ago at the hands of upstart John Carroll.  

A key for McDonogh going into the game was to prevent the Panthers’ RJ Williams, one of the top point guards in the Baltimore area, from running the offense and controlling the game.  Tayshaun Scott, the Eagles’ sophomore point guard, did a good job of guarding Williams, who finished with just six points.

McDonogh handled St. Frances’ 1-2-2 zone defense and used a 3-2 zone of its own to try and slow down the Panthers.

St. Frances led 24-19 at the half and held a slim 41-37 advantage heading into the fourth quarter before the Eagles outscored the Panthers 35-23 in the final eight minutes.