West Aurora falls in season opener

Glenbard West 58, West Aurora 46

The Glenbard West girls basketball team already suffered their first loss of the season Tuesday against Bartlett and didn't want to deal with another this week.

So in the two days since then, the Hilltoppers made a few changes and used them against the Blackhawks, who opened the season against Glenbard West Thursday.

Glenbard West produced a strong opening quarter and never trailed after the opening minute of the game, as it beat host West Aurora 58-46 in Aurora Thursday.

"We didn't get the win the first game, but it helped us tonight and hurt them a little bit," Glenbard West coach Mike Hofland said. "They weren't in sync, and that's what happens in first games, so we were able to capitalize and jump ahead right away, which was nice."

A free throw from Kiara Towles in the first minute of the game was the only lead the Blackhawks had. After that, the Hilltoppers (1-1) scored the next 10 points and ended up leading 14-4 after the first.

"We just weren't mentally ready to play," West Aurora coach Connie Siljendahl said. "They just had the jitters tonight."

Glenbard West led by as much as 14 in the second quarter, but the Blackhawks were able to cut the Hilltoppers' lead to 23-17 after a pair of Bri Tye free throws.

The Hilltoppers, however, capped the half on a 6-1 run in the final two minutes for a 29-18 lead at the half.

The closest West Aurora came to catching the Hilltoppers was when it came within 35-31 after a bucket from Devin Vaughn with 4 minutes left in the third, but once again, Glenbard West finished the quarter on a strong note, this time on an 8-2 run.

Tye led all scorers with 19 points and also posted a game-high 6 steals for the Blackhawks (0-1).

Glenbard West's biggest lead of the game was 56-38 after a basket from Bridget Flanagan with 2:31 left to play. She finished with 10 points off the bench, as starters Abbey White and Abbie Hastings matched that with 10 points apiece as well.