Second-half surge helps Harper past Wright

Early on, it didn't look good for the Harper College women's basketball team.

The Hawks were looking to win back-to-back games for the first time since a three-game win streak in November.

But after the first half against visiting Wright College in a North Central Community College Conference opener Wednesday, Harper had shot just 27.3 percent from the field and trailed 30-23.

The second half was a much different story, as the Hawks were able to get that back-to-back goal accomplished with a 47-40 victory.

Harper guard Angelina Villasin (Prospect) and forward Tamara Zivak (Barrington) illustrated Harper's first-half challenge, as they combined to shoot 7-for-23 from the field. Adding to the team's woes, Villasin committed her third foul with 2:09 left in the first half.

"I was really angry angry with how the game was going," Villasin said.

Harper coach Jenny Turpel gave some of the credit to Wright's box-and-one defense, which frustrated Zivak much of the night.

With the Hawks' offense struggling, Diana Delebra became a catalyst for Wright. She scored 9 of her team-high 11 points in the first half.

"In the first half, we didn't defend well," Turpel said. "And we are not going to be able to outscore anyone."

Harper (3-8, 1-0) did eventually get plenty of offense from Villasin, who ended up leading all scorers with 24 points.

"She's great at creating shots for herself," said Turpel.

The Harper defense also turned it around in holding Wright to 10 second-half points with key contributions from Mikayla Drake (6 rebounds) and Kristen Serviss (5 rebounds, 4 steals).

Zivak finished with 14 points.