Vine, Falcons shoot past Glenbard East

Wheaton North did not make a whole lot of mistakes Tuesday night, but when the Falcons did they were more than covered by a hot-shooting sophomore and some hot free-throw shooting.

The Falcons escaped a tough 57-55 DuPage Valley Conference girls basketball battle at Glenbard East (7-2, 1-2) in large part to the stellar play of speedy sophomore guard Fantasia Vine, who led all scorers with 22 points. It didn't hurt matters any that the Falcons (6-2, 2-0) were making 15 of 19 foul shots while the hosts missed 6 free throws in a tight second half and finished 8 for 15 from the line for the night.

"When we make a mistake, we just bring the intensity back," Vine said. "We worry about the next play, not the mistakes."

After holding a tight, 42-38 lead after three quarters, the Falcons found themselves in a 46-45 hole with 3:26 left to play following a 3-point basket by Glenbard East's Lindsey Fairbairn. Fairbairn's 3 was the only successful one by either in the second half, but Wheaton North countered with plenty of 2- and 1-point baskets down the stretch.

First Sarah Carslon reclaimed the lead with a slashing drive to the basket for her only 2 points of the night, then Brooke Olson added a pair of foul shots for a 48-46 edge with 2:15 left. The game went back and forth from there, but the visitors pulled out the victory after Vine tallied 6 of her 22 points in the fourth quarter and the Falcons made good on 7 of 10 foul shots in the final quarter.

"Both teams played real well, and Glenbard East is off to a fantastic start," Wheaton North coach David Eaton said. "I thought our kids just executed at the end. This was really our first tight one and to have the girls respond like this, especially on the road, is great. We're happy to get out of here with a win."

Rams senior guard Kelsey Taylor was impressed with Vine's game but is not too concerned about her team's back-to-back tough DVC losses.

"We've been playing real good team defense," Taylor said. "In the two games we lost we had some struggles on offense in the paint and we missed some free throws. But we have a well-rounded team and a lot to look forward to."

As for her opposing guard, Taylor said, "Wheaton North executed on offense and she (Vine) took it to the hole. Our weak side defense was a half-step slow, but she did a nice job reading the defense."