Boys Basketball: Chemistry key in Providence’s win over Marian Catholic

Updated: December 20, 2011 9:51PM

Providence’s big men have been playing together since the seventh grade. The chemistry between Mike Marietti and Brian Oddo was evident as the Celtics hung on to defeat host Marian Catholic 64-62.

“I just know when he’s going to shoot it or pass it,” Marietti said. “All the credit goes to Oddo. He’s the one that sets me up and I just try to finish it.”

Marietti took a perfect feed from Oddo with 4:39 left to play in the game. The 6-8, center was fouled and made one free throw to put Providence ahead for good at 53-52. That combination continued to work the screen-roll as Marietti scored two more baskets from Oddo feeds to increase the lead to 57-52. Those two assists were the 6-6, point forward’s ninth and tenth.

“In all of the years that I’ve been coaching and it’s 15 now, he is the best passer that I have ever coached,” Providence coach Tim Trendel said. ``What him and Mike do is a big part of our offense.”

Marian (5-3) didn’t go away. Christian Halley cut the lead to 59-58 with just over a minute left in the game. Kevin Kozan stepped up and countered with a basket and three free throws down the stretch to give Providence (7-2) a 64-60 lead with nine seconds left to play. Tyler Ulis made a basket for the final score for the Spartans. Halley scored 17 points and Ulis scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half.

“The end of the game goes to Kevin,” Marietti said. “He made the clutch plays down the stretch.”

The game was tied at 41 with 1:53 left in the third quarter. That’s when Jay Ramadurai stepped off the bench to score five consecutive points to help the Celtics close out the quarter with a 46-41 lead. Ramadurai did the same in the first half when he started a 17-0 run with two baskets that gave the Celtics a 29-18 lead.

Marietti led Providence with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Ramadurai scored 12 and Oddo added 10.

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