For the second time this season, Brophy and Hamilton matched up and the game came down to the wire.

New game, but same result.

Brophy won 57-47 on the road to move to 22-1 and stay undefeated in its home state.

While defense was on display for the Broncos once again, allowing less than 50 points for the 17th time this season, all eyes were on senior Ian Burke and his offensive showcase.

“I tried to come out really aggressive. I really tried to facilitate and then when my team needed me at the end I tried to score a little bit more,” said Burke.

The 6’5 guard dropped 21 points, including 10 in the first quarter. He knocked down three 3’s and hit all of his free throws.

“Early on when we were struggling to score, he was our offense,” said Brophy head coach Matt Hooten. “He hit some big 3’s in the second half that allowed us to stretch it out a little bit and keep that cushion [of a lead].”

Brophy led 37-32 at the half, but the Huskies didn’t go away. The ballgame was within five points with under two minutes to play. A fierce dunk by Hamilton senior Rashad Smith ignited a fire into the home crowd as the Brophy lead was cut to three points.

But that is where Broncos junior guard Marques White stepped up. Hamilton was forced to foul White, putting him at the charity stripe twice in the final minute.

He had ice water in his veins.

White drained all four of his free throws with ease, extending the lead and sealing the game for Brophy.

“This is something we work on in practice all the time. When I stepped up to the line, I was ready,” said White.

Added Hooten: “That was exactly what we needed at the tail end of that game. At the end of the day he can build on that and that can be a big confidence builder for him going forward.”

White totaled 13 points, while also playing some lockdown defense, contributing two blocks to the Brophy stat column.

The Huskies never took their foot off the pedal at any point. Not only did they have Brophy on the ropes for the majority of the fourth quarter, but they kept the score within striking distance for the entirety of the game.

Closing out games is nothing new to the Broncos, however, and it didn’t seem to be a different scenario Friday.

“I think that’s just the sentiment of this team right now,” said Burke. “We don’t like losing games, we play tough at the end, and I think that’s kind of the mindset we’re bringing in every night.”

Hamilton head coach Doug Harris acknowledged the solid play of the state’s top-ranked team and its ability to close games.

“They’re a good team. The reason they’re No. 1 is because they don’t beat themselves. They’re very disciplined, they execute, they make free throws and wide-open shots. I think that’s a good barometer for our team to look at,” said Harris.

The Huskies move to 17-7 on the year with a 3-4 record in league play.

Brophy will have Wednesday and Thursday off before stepping back on the court Friday for a home showdown against the state’s No. 5 ranked team in Pinnacle, which is also undefeated in conference play (9-0). Tip-off between these two juggernaut programs is scheduled for 7p.m.