Harper times it right against Elgin

It took visiting Elgin Community College more than 20 minutes to find the rhythm it was looking for on Monday at the Sports and Wellness Center in Palatine.

It turned out that was a little too long, as Harper's men's basketball team got ahead early and then held on for an 89-82 nonconference victory.

After the Spartans found their groove, they used a 20-11 run to get back in front at 29-28 after Harper had started out with a 15-8 lead.

But Elgin scored only 5 more points the rest of the half to trail 43-33 at the break.

"We played with zero fire," Spartans coach Reed Nosbisch said of his team's early play.

Harper's Allias Burnett believed his team entered the game with a chip on it shoulder.

"We wanted to come out and show everybody we can play anybody," Burnett said.

Harper will host a pair of teams in the NJCAA Division II rankings this week - No. 1 Rock Valley on Wednesday and No. 20 Triton on Saturday.

The Hawks offense was sharp against Elgin, shooting 44 percent from the field. Harper was especially proficient from 3-point range, finishing at 59.1 percent.

"We did not do a good job of covering the shooters," Nosbich said.

One beneficiary was Burnett, who paced the home team with 23 points. Marcus Gatlin had 17 points and Abdul Mushtaq finished with 16. Burnett and Mushtaq had four 3s apiece.

As Elgin scored 8 of the second half's first 10 points, Harper coach Dr. Justin Welke noticed the difference in the opponent.

"They came out with some energy," he said. "We didn't match it."

Eventually Harper did extend the lead to 20 (at 73-53) with 8:55 left. The Hawks needed that cushion because St. Charles East grads Jake Clodi (22 points) and A.J. Washington (20 points) started scoring in bunches as the Spartans trimmed the lead to 84-80.

Harper (9-7) had the better finishing effort to wrap up the win, but Nosbich was pleased with the effort from Clodi, who made five 3s.

"When we go up against a team who plays a zone, he can shoot it," Nosbich said.

Women's game: On Monday, Harper was looking to avenge a 64-54 opening-night loss at Elgin. Call it an objective met, as the hosts captured a decisive 60-42 victory.

Harper (4-10) was led in scoring by freshman Jackie Stroud, who made five 3s and finished with a game-high 27 points.

"It's always good to hit my shots," Stroud said.

She had some company, as Kim Herzog (Buffalo Grove) finished with 10 points, a pair of assists and 3 rebounds.

"Any time you play against a zone, you are going to get open looks," Harper coach Jenny Turpel said of Stroud's shooting accuracy.

Harper committed 21 turnovers but also managed to force Elgin into 18.

"When we play good defense, that is when we seem to have success," Turpel said.

Elgin alum Destiny West (12 points) and St. Edward grad Clarissa Ramos (12 points) finished in double figures for Elgin.

Things will only get more difficult for Harper, as the Hawks host No. 4-ranked Rock Valley on Wednesday.