COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Junior Jimmy Patton overcame three first half fouls to finish with 13 points and lead Bishop Watterson (2-2) to a 45-38 win Friday night over rival St. Francis DeSales (1-1). 

Patton, a 6-foot-5 forward, started the third quarter after being charged with his third foul just before the end of the first half. 

"I thought it was important that we kept Jimmy in there at what I considered a crucial part of the game," said Watterson coach Vince Lombardo after the game, "Jimmy had a good offensive third quarter and managed not to foul." 

Patton made two strong layups in traffic to start the second half and assisted on a fastbreak layup to get the Eagles a 31-23 lead, after going to the half with a narrow 25-23 advantage. Patton scored eight points in the third quarter to help Watterson to a 37-28 lead at the end of the quarter. 

The Watterson backcourt comprised of senior point guard Liam Aman and junior combo guard Zach Sawyer both scored 10 pounts for the game and played with more poise in the second half, after struggling against the 1-2-2 zone press of the Stallions. 

Lombardo also cited the play of junior guard Sawyer. "Zach made some crucial plays in the second half and began to play more patiently and with confidence. We are hoping this is gonna lead to good things down the road for him."

DeSales who started five underclassmen was led by junior wing Kayen Derden and sophomore guard Kobe Richter who each scored 12 points. 

Derden scored eight of DeSales 11 first quarter points, getting the night started with a baseline slam dunk. Despite Derden's sizzling start, the Eagles recovered from a slow start to jump to a 14-11 first quarter lead. 

With their post player, Patton, on the bench for Watterson in foul trouble, DeSales was able to effectively press the Eagles in the second quarter and tighten the score 25-23 at the half. 

DeSales could only muster 15 points the entire second half against the Eagles various zone defenses. They were unable of score inside or outside, while not hurting the Eagles on the offensive glass. That lack of scoring didn't allow coach Pat Murphy's Stallions to use the zone press much until the closing minutes of the game. The Stallions used that press to make a quick charge with a minute left in the game, before Watterson's Aman iced the game with four free throws in the final minute. 

"One of the things that has made this rivalry so great is the similarities in our programs, both in talent and with the type of kids we get," said Lombardo while acknowledging the hard nosed defensive battles that have been a tradition in the rivalry. "I liked the way we located and closed out on their shooters in the second half. Last week, I thought uncharacteristically we didnt play with enough fight and heart. Today I thought we played much harder and I was happy with our effort."

Watterson gears up for a big weekend next week with games against CCL rival St. Charles and then Grandview on Friday and Saturday. With the win, Watterson leads the all-time series vs. DeSales by one game, 59-58.