Mundelein stays perfect, sinks Highland Park
The main objective for Mundelein's girls basketball team was to remain undefeated Saturday night when the Mustangs hosted Highland Park in the Lady Mustangs Turkey Shootout.
And while there was a "Giant uprising" in the second quarter, Mundelein (4-0) would in fact remain undefeated as the Mustangs posted a 48-39 victory in the fourth round of their round robin Thanksgiving tournament.
Highland Park (2-2) fell behind 14-5 after one quarter, but the Giants would outscore Mundelein 20-10 in the second quarter to take a slim 25-24 lead into halftime.
After a long halftime talk, the Mustangs came out with much better defense in the second half as they outscored Highland Park 12-5 in the third quarter to take a 36-30 lead into the final period.
"In the second quarter we played without two of our starters because of foul trouble and it showed, but you have to give Highland Park credit because they came out inspired and basically outhustled us all night," said Mundelein coach Brian Evans. "Our big thing was to keep them off the foul line and limit their second chances because we didn't do that in the first half."
Back-to-back baskets by Mundelein's J.J. Sawchuk made the score 42-32 before junior teammate Brooke Evans hit a baseline jumper to give the Mustangs their biggest lead at 44-32 with 3:37 to play.
Mundelein junior Toni Knar scored 8 of her 11 points in the first half while Evans scored 11 points in a reserve role. Senior Kelsey O'Connor added 7 points for the Mustangs, but senior teammate Ally Hanas did not play due to illness.
"Their team (Highland Park) played some really nice defense and in the second half we tried to push the ball and play tough defense and everybody executed it very well," said Knar. "We've worked hard this season and everything has paid off in the end."
The Giants were led by reserve forward Emily Feldman with 11 points followed by teammates Lauren Evans with 10 points, and Genny Arnold with 9 points. Sawchuk had 6 points while sophomore teammate Olivia Dunigan chipped in 5 points.
"Once we start conference play it will be a lot tougher," Evans said. "But it is nice to get some wins early in the season and work some things out."