The Bulldogs didn’t score a point in the first quarter. At the 2:31 mark of the second period, the Bulldogs had missed 10 shots and turned the ball over 10 times. Their only points came on free throws and they trailed 16-2.

Chicago Hope’s defense was outstanding. The Eagles were quick and swarming in their zone, making it difficult to get a decent shot or even keep control of the basketball. And when the Bulldogs did get an open look, they were unable to connect.

“They did a great job cutting off the passing lanes and attacking us in the corners,” St. Anthony coach Cody Rincker explained. “The were able to tip passes or strip the ball away. And when we did get a decent shot, we weren’t able to make them. When you dig yourself that deep of a hole, it’s hard to come back.”

“We have used different styles of defense throughout the season,” Fields noted. “We wanted to use our length and quickness to make it difficult for them. And we wanted to know where 45 (Brock Fearday) and 35 (Ryan Schmidt) were all the time. We wanted to make the other guys make shots.”

In the first 14 minutes of the game, nobody in a white uniform made a shot. Finally, with 1:53 to go, a steal resulted in a layup by Schmidt that sparked St. Anthony’s first surge. Schmidt then hit a pair of foul shots, followed by a jumper, and then two free throws from Brock Fearday closed the gap to 16-10 with just 27 seconds remaining.

But the final 27 ticks proved devastating.

First came a three-pointer from the corner by Malik Meridy just eight seconds later. And following a missed shot by St. Anthony, Jaiden Simmons grabbed the rebound and made a quick pass to Tyjuan Hunter. The junior guard then launched a one-handed heave that traveled nearly the length of the floor.

Somehow, it banged off the backboard and straight into the basket, sending the Eagles to the locker room with a 22-10 advantage.

“Those last couple shots changed things quickly,” Fields admitted. “That final one was a momentum shot.”

“Those two shots at the end of the half created a big momentum shift,” Rincker added. “We finally felt like we had the train going in the right direction. It seemed like they had an answer for every run we made. But that three at the buzzer really hurt.”

The Eagles scored the first two baskets of the second half to quickly make it 26-10. It was still a 16-point spread, 28-12, when the Bulldogs began making another surge.

Keenan Griffith turned a Chicago Hope turnover into a three-point play and Schmidt converted another miscue into a score. After Simmons hit a short jumper for the Eagles, Schmidt drained a long three from the wing to get the Bulldogs within 30-20 at the 3:41 mark of the third period.

But on that shot, Schmidt turned his ankle and was forced to leave the game for the remainder of the period. He played sparingly in the final quarter and didn’t score again.

Meridy then knocked down a three and Simmons scored to quickly make it a 15-point game. And heading into the final eight minutes, the Eagles owned a 41-25 advantage.

Chicago Hope’s TJ Hueston opened the fourth period with back-to-back shots from behind the arc to make it a 22-point margin. After another three by Meridy, the Eagles had their largest lead of the contest, 52-29, with 3:42 to play.

But after scoring just 29 points in the first 24 minutes, the Bulldogs finally caught fire and poured in 21 in the final 3:21. That charge was led by Brock Fearday. The senior, who had just five points through three quarters, drained four shots from long range and totaled 19 points in the period, with 16 of those coming in the final 2:58.

“Brock caught fire, that’s for sure,” Rincker said. “Unfortunately, we just didn’t score soon enough. But we’re going to play to the final horn. This team won’t quit.”

“That’s why we had to keep track of those two guys,” Fields noted. “You could see what they could do at the end. No. 45 hit a couple miraculous threes.

“I give a lot of credit to their team and their coach,” Fields added. “They never gave up.”

Hunter was a handful all day. The quick, 5’7” guard scored 19 points and also had 10 assists.

“Our game plan was to not let him do what he did,” Rincker admitted. “He is so quick. He can score and he’s a great passer. He’s just an excellent basketball player.”

Meridy, who didn’t make a shot in the super sectional, knocked down four threes and finished with 14 points.

The Eagles shot 44 percent overall, connecting on 20-of-45 attempts. They were 8-for-25 from behind the arc and 8-of-16 at the foul line. They owned a slim 35-34 rebounding edge and had 16 turnovers.

Brock Fearday finished with another double-double, scoring 24 points and pulling down 15 rebounds, both game-high statistics. Schmidt added 14 points.

As a team, the Bulldogs made 16-of-50 shots, a 32 percent clip. They were 6-for-25 from three-point range and 12-of-17 at the foul line.

St. Anthony, now 32-5 for the season, will face Peoria Christian (28-10) in the third place game. The Chargers lost to Lanark Eastland, 55-35, in the other semifinal contest. That tipoff is set for 9:30 a.m. Friday.

Chicago Hope (27-7) will play Eastland (34-4) for the Class 1A championship at 1 p.m. Saturday.