Kaneland tips DeKalb in final seconds
Despite missing 2 of 3 free throws to end the first half, Kaneland junior Dylan Vaca had no reservations stepping back up to the line with the game hanging in the balance.
With the score tied at 52-52 against DeKalb, Vaca was fouled driving to the basket with 1.4 seconds remaining.
Vaca calmly dropped in the first free throw before missing the second intentionally to give the Knights an emotional 53-52 Northern Illinois Big XII East victory in their first home game of the season.
"I knew I had to make one just to help my team out and get the win. I was not about to lose this game, said Vaca, who also connected on four 3-pointers to lead the Knights with 17 points.
Since Kaneland (6-8, 1-2) did not practice Wednesday or Thursday because of the school closings, they braved the cold and shook off the rust with a spirited Friday morning practice.
"That's what it takes to get that win. You have to put the time in," Vaca said.
"It was tough coming out here this morning, but it was definitely worth it for these types of wins," added Ryan David, who collected 14 points and 8 rebounds.
In a back and forth battle, DeKalb (8-3, 1-1) was close to seizing control with a 50-44 lead and the ball with under 4 minutes remaining, when David came up with a key steal and basket to trigger an 8-point Knights' run.
Center Jacob Gomes (8 points) contributed a pair of clutch baskets in that stretch, and his half-hook in the lane put Kaneland back in front at 52-50 with 1:24 left.
"I thought it brought a lot of energy to the team being able to get that steal," David said.
DeKalb tied the score on a putback from Mike Pollack (18 points), which set the stage for Vaca's game-winning free throw.
"They all played really well tonight and came out and executed the game plan," said Knights coach Brian Johnson. "To have our first home game and get a win against the best team in the league is something we can build on."
Kaneland grabbed a 14-7 first quarter lead, but the Barbs went on an 8-2 run at the end of the first half to even the contest at 24-24.
DeKalb scored 8 unanswered points early in the third quarter for a 32-26 lead before the Knights caught fire from 3-point range. Vaca hit three while David and Tanner Robertsen each hit one over a 7-minute stretch.
"It's nice to play in your own gym and have the same rims and be used to the backgrounds," Johnson said. "Dylan got hot and he's hard to guard when he's hot because he can take it to the hole."
Kaneland knew it had its work cut out trying to slow down DeKalb's potent offense, and the defense rose to the occasion. Barbs' sharpshooter Jace Kitchen made only 4-of-11 field goal attempts for 12 points before fouling out while 6-foot-7 center Luke Davis tallied just 6 points despite grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds.
DeKalb shot just 20-of-50 from the field and 5-of-18 from 3-point range.
"We talked before the game about switching things up between man and zone and trying to communicate," Johnson said. "Kitchen's so good and it helped that he was in foul trouble, but to compete with them on that level was nice."