Jacobs escapes Cary-Grove upset bid in OT
There wasn't the slightest bit of panic.
Down by 7 points with 1:23 left in the game, Jacobs scored the final 7 points of regulation to force overtime and eventually pulled out a 52-50 OT win over upset-minded Cary-Grove in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division boys basketball action in Algonquin Friday night.
"We came into the huddle late in the game and Cameron (Krutwig) kept everybody positive and I knew we would fight into the end," said Jacobs coach Jim Roberts. "Cam is certainly our ring leader. We got some steals and some easy baskets and got the ball in good scoring position to Cam."
A free throw by Quinn Celske gave Cary-Grove a 45-38 advantage with 1:23 remaining.
Cooper Schwartz spearheaded the comeback by canning a 3-pointer with a minute left to pull Jacobs (14-3, 5-0) within 4, 45-41. A free throw from Nikolas Balkcom made the score 45-42 with 41 seconds remaining.
The key play of the game came with 19.9 seconds left when Krutwig scored on a driving layup and was fouled on the play. Krutwig's free throw sent the game into overtime.
Krutwig scored 6 of Jacobs 7 points in the overtime as the Golden Eagles escaped with a 2-point win.
"I really believe in this team," said Krutwig. "Cary-Grove played great and shot really well. We just executed enough to get the win."
The Trojans, who made 11-of-16 from 3-point range for the game for 69 percent, were a perfect 5-of-5 from beyond the arc in the third quarter. Jimmy Clarke and Dan Schmidt collected two 3s each and Danny Clarke had a trey as Cary-Grove (4-14, 1-4) held a 39-36 advantage heading into the final 8 minutes of action.
The Trojans scored the first 5 points of the fourth quarter keyed by a 3-pointer from Zach Beaugureau and led 44-36 with 2:47 left.
"We had the game at our pace and our tempo for most of the game," said Cary-Grove coach Ralph Schuetzle. "We worked our offense and made some 3s. Their pressure got to us in the end and you can't simulate that type of pressure in practice."
Krutwig paced Jacobs with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocked shots while Balkcom added 12 and Loen Nelson scored 10 with three 3s.
Schmidt paced Cary-Grove with 16 points with a pair of 3s while Beaugureau tallied 15 points on 5 treys.