Glenbard South defeats Lemont
Glenbard South senior boys basketball player Povilas Riauba hit a game-winning 3-pointer with two seconds left in overtime in Tuesday's quarterfinals of the Romeoville Christmas Classic.
On Wednesday Riauba delivered another big 3 that helped the Raiders roll into the championship game for the first time in their fifth straight tournament appearance.
Glenbard South earned a 54-47 semifinal victory over Lemont after Riauba's 3 sparked an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders (9-3) will play Joliet Catholic (8-2) for the title at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
“Physically we were drained, but emotionally we were totally prepared for this game. We had momentum after last night,” Riauba said. “We've been working hard all season long. When we pick the defense up, we can win any game we play.”
The Raiders' five starters accounted for all of their points. Riauba had 16 and two of the team's four 3s. Tim Marks had 12, Charlie Bair 10 and Billy Bair 9. Billy Bair and Charlie Bair had 10 and 9 rebounds, respectively.
Glenbard South led most of the game but faced its biggest deficit at 35-31 after Lemont (8-3) scored on its first two possession of the fourth quarter to break a tie score.
After a timeout by Glenbard South coach Wade Hardtke with 6:58 left, Riauba nailed his 3 off a kickout pass by Billy Bair.
“It gave a little spark. Our bench got into it (then),” Hardtke said.
Billy Bair and Cullen Cuchetto followed with 3s on the next two possessions, and Riauba drove the baseline for a roller that trickled in for a 42-35 lead with 4:34 left. The Indians never again got closer than 4.
“We have those spurts and that's what we talk about. We can do that all game,” Riauba said. “Whenever I come out of a timeout, I always think to shoot because my legs are fresh and I know I can knock down a shot.”
Surprisingly, the Raiders' three straight 3s came after only one the entire game by Riauba in the second quarter.
“They've been timely,” Hardtke said of the key 3s. “(Lemont is) a solid team. They've got good size inside, good quickness, athletic ability. That's a good win for us.”
Everyone agreed, however, that Tuesday's 66-65 victory over Romeoville was much more dramatic. After trailing 41-34 entering the fourth quarter, the Raiders forced overtime at 60 on a buzzer-beating 3 by Marks.
Riauba's game-winner was his fourth of the team's seven 3s. He finished with 22 points.
“It was just take the chance,” Riauba said. “The play was a ball screen and I decided that (the defender) was sagging off too much and I had the shot.”
Against Lemont, the Raiders tried to exploit their height advantage but still struggled scoring consistently against an aggressive 2-3 zone. The Raiders led 30-14 in rebounds and made 10 of 16 free throws compared to Lemont's 6 of 7.
Lemont standout junior guard P.J. Pipes had 19 points with two threes, but man-to-man defensive efforts by Riauba, Cuchetto and Tyler Scott helped to limit him to 6 points with one field in the second half.
“I think the guys did a nice job of getting focused (tonight),” Hardtke said. “We talked about enjoying the one (in OT) and then we've got to shift gears and focus on Lemont.”