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A game of attrition for Milwaukee Academy of Science makes the program's first ever boys basketball state title that much sweeter.

Two nights after Science poured their effort into a come-from-behind win over Lake Mills, the Novas had their resolve tested once again on Saturday afternoon.

For the second game in a row, Science found themselves down at halftime at the Kohl Center.

Freedom sophomore Donovan Davis and senior Drew Kortz were electric in the first half giving the Irish a 34-28 lead going into the break. Kortz, an extremely talent uncommitted lead guard, had 15 points at half while Davis, one of the top sophomores in the state, had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Irish defense hounded the Nova offense, limiting them to 12 of 34 shooting. Devin Brown had 12 points and 11 rebounds at the break, as he and Jamarion Batemon were the only two from Science to find any rhythm offensively.

With Freedom leading 38-32 with 14:13 left in the second half, the Science defensive intensity picked up. The Novas did a good job of getting the ball out of Kortz hands and keeping it out of Davis' during that 18-2 stretch that ended with 6:01 left on a Kortz bucket to pull the Irish within six at 50-44.

Senior guards Amare Jackson, Agape Keys Jr. and Jamarion Batemon used their length and lateral quickness to agitate the Irish on the perimeter, forcing turnovers and bad shots. Brown matched Davis' physicality and forced the sophomore sensation further from the rim at every catch of the ball.

At the 4:59 mark with Science leading 52-46, Brown exited the game with an ankle injury and did not return. The Novas sustained that lead until the 2:32 mark.

Trailing by seven, the Irish picked up full court pressure following a Davis turnaround jumper. Science then turned it over on three of its next four possessions as the Irish closed the gap to 55-54 with 28 seconds left.

Following a broken press layup by the Novas, Freedom's Drew Kortz drove the lane and put through a runner, but it didn't count as Deuce Burkes stepped in front of the Irish point guard and drew a charge, much to the dismay of the Freedom contingent.

The Irish got one more chance at tying it up after Science missed the front end of a bonus, but came up short on the game-tying three-point attempt.

Kortz had a herculean effort for Freedom, finishing with 29 points on 11 of 23 shooting. Davis added 19 points and 16 rebounds. The duo combined for 48 of the 54 points scored, including all 20 points in the second half.

Despite missing the last four minutes, Brown, a Coastal Carolina recruit, led Science with 17 points and was a monster on the glass, corralling 19 boards. Iowa State recruit Jamarion Batemon had 16 points and while Amare Jackson added 10.