Harris (13) and Rack (11) combined for 24 points to lead the Moeller charge.  Harris scored 11 of his points in the decisive fourth quarter to help put the game away while Rack scored eight key points in the third quarter as La Salle was trying to make a game of it.

Moeller head coach Carl Kremer didn’t make too big of a deal out of the Crusaders finally winning at La Salle but had plenty to say about Rack.

“Tony Rack is the most underrated player in the city,” said Kremer.  “He gets all the loose balls and does all the little things that don’t always get noticed.  He’s the heart and soul of this team.”

Rack modestly downplayed his effort and said with the Lancers doubling down in the post against leading scorer Quinn McDowell (5 points on the night) and other Crusader interior players it opened up shots for him.  He added that Harris was the difference-maker on this night.

“Tony Harris was the guy tonight,” said Rack.  “He took over the game in the fourth quarter.”

The Crusaders (11-1, 7-0 GCL) never trailed and looked like they were going to rout the Lancers (6-4, 4-3) after bolting out to a quick 16-2 lead in the first quarter that eventually shrank to just 23-19 by halftime.

Moeller came out in attack mode and played aggressive on the defensive end, especially against junior Danny McElroy.  The rotating threesome of 6’8” Matt Roberts, 6’8” Griffin McKenzie and 6’3” Tony Martin wore on McElroy all night.  The Lancers’ leading scorer on the season at 17 points a game finished with just 6.

La Salle got as close as one point at 26-25 on a 3-pointer by Brendan Jones early in the third quarter but could never get over the hump.  The Crusaders ended the quarter on a 7-0 run to take a 39-29 lead into the final quarter and La Salle never got closer than eight points the rest of the way.

Moeller senior forward Daniel Wulker joined Rack and Harris in double figures with 10 points. Nick Bachus led La Salle in scoring with 10 points.

Moeller shot 51.1 percent from the field and held La Salle to 37 percent shooting.  The Lancers won the rebounding battle 29-26.   

Moeller has now completed round one of the tough GCL South Division with a perfect 3-0 mark including wins over St. Xavier and Elder.  The Crusaders remain unbeaten against local competition, with their lone loss of the year coming against USA Today No.1-ranked St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.) in an out-of-town tournament last week.

“I love the way our guys have bought into the team concept and our senior players have set a great example,” said Kremer.  “We still have room to grow and want to be peaking when February and March roll around.”