It was a when-in-Rome performance by the Bishop Eustace basketball team.
The Crusaders take pride in their defense, whether they are home, away, or facing a state power such as Trenton Catholic on a neutral court in a showcase tournament.
But Tuesday night's Olympic Conference interdivision clash of Top 5 teams was at Lenape, the home office for South Jersey defense.
"Lenape is known for defense," Bishop Eustace senior swingman Dexter Harris said. "We wanted to beat them at their own game."
Bishop Eustace, the No. 4 team in The Inquirer's South Jersey rankings, played lockdown, Lenape-like defense in the fourth quarter, holding the No. 5 Indians to two free throws en route to an imposing 54-38 victory.
Senior guard Carson Puriefoy scored 14 points and senior forward Sho DaSilva added 13 for Bishop Eustace (14-3), which bounced back from a frustrating loss to Trenton Catholic in Saturday's Jeff Coney Memorial Tournament at Rancocas Valley.
"We put that game behind us," said Harris, who played a strong all-around game with five points, four assists, and four rebounds.
With Lenape playing a box-and-one defense on Puriefoy for much of the game, Harris and junior guard Tom Falconiero, son of Bishop Eustace coach Bob Falconiero, took over much of the ballhandling duties.
The Crusaders' balanced scoring included 10 points from senior swingman Trevor Norton and eight points, with seven rebounds, from junior center Ry'n Bland.
"That's a good team," Lenape coach Chuck Guittar said of Bishop Eustace. "They did a nice job of moving the ball without using Puriefoy, and then they got him the ball when they needed to."
The game was played just five days before the cutoff for the state tournaments. With the victory, Bishop Eustace likely improved its standing in South A, while Lenape (12-3) could have dropped a spot or two in the South Jersey Group 4 seedings.
Lenape hit five three-point jumpers in the first half, and added another by reserve Cory Jett (nine points) in the third quarter. The Indians were within 37-36 on Jett's tip-in late in the third quarter.
But Bishop Eustace received a big lift from senior reserve Scott Hyland, who hit a layup with around eight seconds to play in the third quarter, then made a steal and another layup at the buzzer to jack the Crusaders' lead to 41-36.
"He gives us energy," Bob Falconiero said of Hyland.
The Crusaders pulled away in the fourth quarter, mostly because of a sturdy defense that held the Indians without a field goal.
"Our defense is what ignited our offense," Harris said.
Bishop Eustace 11 18 12 13 – 54
Lenape 14 9 13 2 – 38
BE: Carson Puriefoy 14, Sho DaSilva 13, Dexter Harris 5, Ry'n Bland 8, Trevor Norton 10, Scott Hyland 4.
L: Tabu Gaither 11, Avery Brown 10, Evan Ward 2, Kyle Robostello 2, Arkemus Baskerville 4, Cory Jett 9.
Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at 856-779-3223, panastasia@phillynews.com, or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter. Read his blog, "Jersey Side Sports," at www.philly.com/jerseysidesports
