The Fenwick basketball team stayed atop the Chicago Catholic League North by securing a 47-41 victory over Bishop McNamara in Oak Park on Friday night.

Home-court advantage isn’t a myth for the Friars (8-6, 5-1), who, over the last three seasons, have won 21 of their last 22 home games. They are 4-0 at the fieldhouse this season.

“What can I say but we play better on our own floor and we proved that against a very-much improved Bishop McNamara squad,” said Fenwick head coach John Quinn. “They’re a lot like us, very young and talented with a bright future. Right now, we continue to grind things out game by game.”

Grinding is what the Friars did for much of Friday’s game. After battling to a 23-22 halftime advantage, Fenwick went up seven in the third, only to see the lead dwindle to two by the end of the quarter. Bishop McNamara’s Derek O’Connor, who averages 17 points per game but was held to 13 on this night, completed a three-point play at the end of the third to cut the deficit to 35-33.

Fenwick’s Dylan Barnett hit four free throws in the fourth to help clinch the victory. But the Friars nearly let the win slip away with poor shooting from the charity stripe in the final stanza. Fenwick was just 6-for-11 at the line in the fourth, and 10-for-17 in the game.

“We need to improve that aspect of our game and we need to do it soon,” said Quinn. “We have to play very good teams in February and you can’t shoot like that against the likes of De La Salle, Hales and Mt. Carmel and expect to win.”

Tyler Sewall led the Friars, scoring 16 points, all of which came in the second and third quarters. Sewall hit four three-pointers in that span.

Dave Suwada, who was plagued with foul trouble for much of the second half, managed 10 points, four rebounds and three blocked shots for the Friars. Pat McGrail added seven points.

“McGrail and Sewall played much better in this game, and our 3-2 zone defense did the job,” said Quinn. “We just need to get a third scorer in there on a consistent basis.

“We just need to keep the train going,” he added. “We’re hoping to pull out a league title here.”

The Friars will look to continue their string of home-court victories when they host St. Rita on Friday night (7:30 p.m.).