By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC - A career-high 23 points from Jared Knuth lifted the St. Joseph Bears to a 61-58 victory over arch rival Lakeshore Wednesday night in the Class B District Tournament semifinal.
St. Joseph now advances to Saturday's championship game against the winner of tonight's Berrien Springs-Coloma contest. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
St. Joseph jumped out to a 17-9 first quarter lead and led 29-23 at the intermission.
Lakeshore (13-8) trailed 46-37 heading into the final quarter.
The Lancers came storming back in the fourth quarter, cutting the Bears' lead to 57-54 with 44 seconds remaining on a basket by Lakeshore's Joe Welch.
Joseph Cleveland was fouled on the ensuing inbounds play and made two free throws to put the Bears up 59-54 with 24 seconds remaining.
Lakeshore cut the lead to 59-56 on two free throws with 21 ticks left on the clock, however, David Clore's two free throws sealed the victory with two seconds remaining.
Clore finished with 10 points for the Bears, along with David Allen.
Lakeshore was led by Shaine Tierney's 22 points.
LAKESHORE 58
Joe Welch 4 3-3 11, Kolby Smith 2 3-4 7, Nick DeBoer 3 0-0 9, Shaine Tierney 7 7-8 22, Tim Frakes 1 0-0 3, Dustin Barinka 1 0-0 2, Logan Wilke 2 0-0 4, Jason Woodrick 0 0-0 0, Ken Welch 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 13-15 58
ST. JOSEPH 61
Jacob Olson 2 0-0 4, David Allen 2 6-6 10, David Clore 4 2-2 10 Joe Cleveland 1 2-2 5, Kyle Hammond 3 3-3 9, Jared Knuth 8 3-6 23, Pat Buursma 0 0-0 0, Dan Harbison 0 0-0 0, Steven Dahn 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 16-19 61
Lakeshore 9 23 37 58
St. Joseph 17 29 46 61
Three-point baskets: Lakeshore 5 (DeBoer 3, Tierney, Frakes), St. Joseph 5 (Knuth 4, Cleveland). Total fouls: Lakeshore 18, St. Joseph 16. Fouled out: None. Technical fouls: None. Varsity records: Lakeshore 13-8, St. Joseph