Buffalo Grove stops Wheaton N.
Buffalo Grove's Kevin Mulligan likes to call it 'Bison defense.' Wheaton North would just call it stifling.
BG coach Ryan O'Connor said it was the difference in Monday afternoon's opening-round 61-47 win for the Bison over Wheaton North in the Elgin's holiday tournament. The Bison next meet Glenbrook South at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
And if the Bison bring the defensive effort that helped them overcome Wheaton North's superior height and bulk, it should be an interesting match-up. The game with Wheaton North was, for a half.
The Falcons led, in fact, by 1 at the break. But after giving up an easy basket to open the third quarter, BG responded like a wounded animal.
"Our guys took that heart," O'Connor said of the impetus the trick play had on the Bison, as they were lulled into lining up on the wrong side of the court and surrendered an uncontested layup to Mike Small. Four minutes and 10 straight points later, BG was in complete command.
With 6-foot-2 leaper Mike Cornely shutting down 6-foot-6 Falcons flash Zach Dungee, with help from Mulligan and Matt Newman, and everyone taking turns shutting down Wheaton North's other sharpshooter, Matt Matosian, BG quickly built a 41-34 lead after three quarters. Dungee and Matosian, impressive shooters, scored only 2 of their combined 23 points after intermission.
"The key to the game was our team defense," said O'Connor, as BG's swarming help-side adjustments erased the open looks Dungee and Matosian had been knocking down early on.
"They're a good team," Falcons coach Jim Nazos said of the Bison. But he was looking beyond just this game. "We've got to use this tournament to get ourselves better. We've got to hit a shot. We've got to be better with the ball."
At the other end, Andrew Cohler came off the bench and roamed the middle of Wheaton North's zone, getting open for 13 points, 9 in the second half. Also off the bench, Nick Prus displayed his sweet outside touch with a pair of treys. John Angotti, starting now with James Hurley nursing an ankle injury, efficiently ran the offense as BG (9-1) committed just 11 turnovers while forcing 24.
"We just played Bison defense," Mulligan said, smiling as he realized he'd coined a new phrase for what has become a signature performance.