The Ironmen opened the fourth quarter on an 11-0 run that spanned the first five minutes of the final period to put the game away. Harper started the scoring with a layup in traffic before converting a three-point play with five minutes remaining to extend the lead to 45-31.
Following four consecutive points from top 25 sophomore
Keiner Asprilla, Harper scored the last basket of the run with a transition layup with just over three minutes to go in the contest.
Five-star Rutgers signee Dylan Harper tallied a game-high 37 points in a signature performance Monday night. (Photo: Eugene Alonzo)
A deep 3-pointer from junior guard
Austin Spencer with 2:34 to go in fourth quarter was the first basket for St. Peter's Prep in the final quarter of action and ignited an 8-0 run for the Marauders over the ensuing minute to cut the deficit to 51-39 with just over 1:30 remaining.
Don Bosco Prep, which led 28-19 at halftime and 40-31 at the end of three, pulled away with free throws in the final minute to pull out the victory.
Harper tallied 18 points in the first half and had 28 points through three quarters.
Don Bosco Prep (27-3) faces the winner of Morris Catholic (Denville) and Immaculate Conception (Montclair) in the state championship game Friday.
