Welke notches first conference win at Harper

Harper first-year men's basketball coach Justin Welke got a special win on Wednesday night.

He notched his first North Central Community College Conference victory as the Hawks topped visiting Wright College 66-60 in Palatine.

There wasn't all good news, though, for the Hawks (8-11, 1-2).

They were without sophomore Robert Hudson (Conant), who is sidelined with a concussion. No timetable has been set for his return.

"That puts a lot on Davion (Benton) and myself," said Harper's Admir Suljic.

"With 'Hud' gone, somebody has to shoulder the load," Welke said.

That assignment went to the trio of Benton, Suljic and Randy Hewitt.

"For us to succeed, our key players need to succeed," Suljic said. "It's vital other guys get going."

Against the Rams (5-11, 0-3), the "other guy" was Hewitt, who finished with 11 points.

"I would be surprised if (Wright) had a scouting report on me," he said.

Benton, who had his second straight 20-plus scoring game in conference play, said he has to be more aggressive.

"I had more of the skill set and size than the person who was guarding me," Benton said.

To go along with his 20 points, the lanky freshman also grabbed 11 rebounds.

Welke believes Benton's game is becoming more fundamentally sound.

"He has the natural ability," Welke said of Benton's newly found offensive prowess. "He's learning to play team basketball."

Suljic returned after missing Saturday's 86-41 loss at Triton College. Most of his success came from behind the 3-point line, where he was 3-for-6 on his was to a game-high 21 points.