BREESE • Nobody has to tell Belleville West coach Joe Muniz the importance of having Nick Van Osdale in the lineup.
Van Osdale, who missed 15 games with a broken right wrist, scored a game-high 20 points Tuesday night to help the Maroons to a 54-48 non-conference victory at Mater Dei.
West improved to 11-10. Mater Dei, No. 10 in the Illinois Associated Press Class 2A state poll, fell to 18-5.
"Nick's pretty good," Muniz said about Van Osdale, a 6-foot junior point guard. "He gives us a lot of confidence. He gives us another scorer."
Van Osdale played in the first four games of the season before breaking his wrist in a 57-50 win over Granite City on Dec. 6. West went 3-1 in those early games, but went 7-8 while Van Osdale was sidelined. The junior returned to action Friday, scoring 13 points in a 58-55 loss to Edwardsville.
Against Mater Dei, Van Osdale had four rebounds -- two were offensive putbacks. He also took a lot of pressure off guard Mike Schmidt.
"As a point guard I have a lot of responsibilities taking care of the ball, and Mike really stepped up well," Van Osdale said. "With me coming back, it helps (Mike) out a lot. We can split the time at the point. We can really distribute the ball to everybody, and everybody gets involved. It makes us a lot better."
That was the case Tuesday as the Maroons had three players score in double figures. Kendall Smith finished with 16 points and five rebounds, and Schmidt contributed 10 points. Jaylon Owens chipped in with eight points and six rebounds.
Despite hitting only two of 10 3-point shots, the Maroons connected on 20 of 37 field goals attempts.
Mater Dei was led by Austin Peay recruit Cory Arentsen's 19 points. Mitchell Langenhorst added 12.
West led 17-13 after one quarter and 28-20 at halftime.
Mater Dei cut West's lead to two points in the third quarter, but never could overtake the Maroons.
"I thought we had some looks," said Mater Dei coach Brian Perkes, whose team went eight for 23 on 3-point shots and 17 of 38 overall from the field. "I thought we had some clean, wide-open looks that normally some of those kids who make 'em just missed them tonight."
