Mount Si’s boys basketball team faced its toughest test yet Tuesday, Jan. 5, against a ranked and strong O’Dea Irish squad.

The Wildcats gave it their best and stayed with the Irish through much of the game, but turnovers in critical situations ended up costing them.

Despite a heroic 23 points from senior Justin Downer — including a couple of clutch three-pointers in the fourth quarter that helped Mount Si take the lead — the Irish were able to fight back and grab a big 65-63 win in the Wildcat home opener.

“We did what we could. Didn’t play our best, but we’ll get them next time,” said a dejected Downer.

“We played all right — could have played a lot better,” said a disappointed Wildcat coach Jeff D’Ambrosio, who noted that defense and rebounding were sub-par.

Both teams were even through the entire first half, as they matched one another shot for shot. Mount Si and O’Dea went to the halftime break tied at 29-29. The third quarter started out very similar to the first half, as the two teams continued to play close. But three straight Mount Si turnovers midway through the frame helped the Irish take command temporarily, building a 42-36 lead. Tanner Riley and Zander Nelson, however, both hit key buckets down the stretch to help the Wildcats sneak back into contention. Nelson finished with 16 points to aid Mount Si.

O’Dea continued to stay in front going into the final quarter, using key baskets and free throws from Dustin Watts. The Irish junior scored 23 to lead the Metro League team, ranked ninth in last week’s Seattle Times basketball poll. O’Dea held a 55-49 lead with 3:30 left in regulation and was very much in control when Downer took over for Mount Si. He hit a three with 2:45 left to make it 55-52, then after an Irish turnover, hit another basket which he was fouled on. Downer hit the subsequent free throw, and Mount Si had tied the game at 55-55.

Another O’Dea turnover set up Downer yet again, and he hit a huge three with 1:42 left to give the Wildcats the lead. But then the turnovers reared their ugly head again for Mount Si, and Watts took full advantage for the Irish, helping them get back in front 60-58 with less than a minute left. The Irish extended the lead to 64-60, but Downer was fouled on a three-point attempt with seconds left in regulation; he hit all three shots.

O’Dea was fouled shortly thereafter on the ensuing possession, and Keenan Durham hit one of two free throws. With the Irish leading and two seconds left, Mount Si had one last chance, but the ball was slapped out of bounds by O’Dea as the buzzer sounded.

In other action, the Wildcats used balanced scoring on Friday, Jan. 8, to defeat Juanita, 69-49. Riley scored 15 to lead Mount Si.

“We were playing like a team,” said senior Dillon Shain, who finished with four points. “We all had fun. That’s what we wanted to start out doing, and that’s probably the best fun we’ve had in a long time.”

Anthony McLaughlin pitched in 10 to pace the Wildcats.

Mount Si plays Friday, Jan. 15, at Bellevue.

“They’re very, very good and I think we’ll be ready to play,” D’Ambrosio said.