Warren (6-1) 54, Chicago Curie (2-2) 42

STAR OF THE GAME

BRANDON PAUL, Warren: It didn't start out that way (six points, 1-of-5 shooting, two fouls in the first half). But the Illinois recruit was terrific in the second half and finished with 17 points and nine rebounds, plus one dynamite one-hand, no-look assist.

BY THE NUMBERS

Paul's only field goal in the first half was a rainbow 23-foot three-pointer at the first quarter horn. ... Paul sat out a large chunk of the second quarter with two fouls. He scored the first six points of the second half, sparking a 16-5 run that put Warren in front for good. Included in that was a baseline drive that resulted in a one-hand dunk. ... JAMES POLIQUIN added 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Warriors. ... Neither team was terribly efficient. Warren had 24 turnovers, Curie 22. ... JEREMY PRICE scored 18 to lead Curie. ... Curie sophomore WAYNE BLACKSHEAR, an Illinois recruiting target, had eight points (4-of-13 shooting) and five rebounds while being defended by Paul.

WHAT WAS SAID

— Warren coach CHUCK RAMSEY: "We did a lot better in terms of being efficient on offense in the second half. Brandon came out in the third quarter and did a lot of things for us. We didn't want to risk him getting his third foul, so we sat him down."

— Brandon Paul on defending Blackshear: "I knew he was one of their main offensive weapons, so I wanted to shut him down and limit their scoring options from him."