C-G hangs on to knock off Jacobs in OT
It is difficult to win when you squander a 14-point lead in the final 2 minutes of regulation time, shoot 32 percent from the field, 57 percent from the free throw line and commit 35 turnovers.
Despite its ragged play, Cary-Grove found a way to post a victory.
Outscoring Jacobs 6-1 in overtime, the Trojans escaped with a 61-56 girls basketball win over Jacobs in the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division opener for both teams in Algonquin Tuesday night.
"Sure, we could hang our heads and say we should have won by 20, but I like that our team had to face tough times," said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. "It is not easy to open conference play in the Eagles Nest against a very good Jacobs team. We did a great job of regaining the momentum in the overtime."
The Trojans (13-3, 1-0) looked to be in total control of the game when Jamie Kuhl hit a 5-footer in the lane with 2 minutes left to give Cary-Grove a comfortable 55-41 advantage.
Somebody forgot to tell the Golden Eagles the game was over.
Leading the valiant comeback were Hailey Cnota and Markie Rahn. Cnota's 6 points and Rahn's 5 points pulled the Golden Eagles within 55-52 with 8 seconds left. After za Trojan turnover, Jacobs had a chance to win with 3 seconds left. Jacobs got the ball to sophomore Maria Tamburino right outside the 3-point arc. As Tamburino turned to shoot she was fouled and had 3 foul shots to tie the game with 1.5 seconds left. She calmly sank all 3 free throws to tie the game and send it into overtime.
"I can't say enough about Maria," said Jacobs coach Ed Haugens. "That's about as much pressure as you can put on a kid and she came through. I am really proud of the whole team. We played terrible defense and rebounded poorly, but the kids did a great job of battling back."
Led by Danielle Smith's 5 points, the Trojans outscored Jacobs by 5 in overtime to open conference play with a win. Jacobs was 0 of 6 from the floor in the extra session.
Kuhl led the Trojans with 14 points and 17 rebounds.
"We had to fight through a lot tonight, but we came up big when we had to," said Kuhl. "We took a step in the right direction tonight.
Smith and Meg Straumann scored 12 apiece for Cary-Grove while Tori Sandstrom tallied 10 off the bench, 8 in the third quarter.
Saffert touted Sandstrom's effort.
"Tori was a big sparkplug off the bench," said Saffert. "We don't get the big lead without her."
Tamburino scored 18 to lead Jacobs. Rahn (9-of-13 from the free throw line), scored 13 despite making only 2 of 16 from the floor and Cnota scored 12 with 10 boards.