Mighty Macs end Prospect's streak

Despite never leading in the quarterfinal of the Dundee-Crown Charger Classic Saturday, Prospect's girls basketball team made Mother McAuley work to the finish.

When it was over, the Mighty Macs proved mightier 52-43 as they ended the Knights' 11-game winning streak.

Senior guard Chelsea Owens hit a 3-pointer less than 10 seconds into the game and the Mighty Macs never looked back, leading by as many as 15 points.

"We knew Prospect could hit from the outside so we had to keep a hand on their shooters," said second-year McAuley coach Karen Ade, who also played basketball and softball for the Mighty Macs in the mid 1990s. "They are a good team, but our kids played well."

Prospect (12-2) got to within 48-41 when sophomore Sarah Hunt put back a missed free throw with 1:08 left in the game.

But McAuley (10-3) hit 4 straight free throws in the final 51 seconds to seal the win.

"Our kids are always battling for respect," said Ade, whose club lost to Hersey at the Maine West tournament. "You always hear about Fenwick and Montini. They are good, but on any given day, we feel we can compete with anyone."

The Mighty Macs will face Fenwick (10-2) in the semifinals on Monday.

"That should be a real track meet," said Fenwick coach Dave Power. "It'll be à go-go game. That's how we like it."

Prospect goes on to meet Buffalo Grove (4-9) at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

Senior Danielle Brucci's 3-pointer brought the Knights to within 8-7 of McAuley midway through the first quarter.

But the Mighty Macs went on a 9-0 run and Prospect never got closer than 7.

"Toward the end of the game we started to step up and play the style of basketball we need to play to be successful,"' said Knights forward Rachel Hunt. "Their press didn't really bother us. We did a great job of passing. We just had to adjust to the pace of the game."

Alyssa Glennon led the Knights with 13 points while Rachel Hunt added 8 along with 7 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.

Lexi Glennon and Sarah Hunt (6 rebounds) each contributed 6 points.

"Every time we got close, they found another way to score," said Prospect assistant Jay Kyp-Johnson, filling in for coach Martha Kelly (she was attending her sister's wedding). "Mother McAuley is a real good team."

The Mighty Macs were led by Owens (10 points) and senior Jennifer Moriarty (8).

"We didn't box out too well too well and their posts were tough inside," Moriarty said. "They rebounded really well and we really couldn't stop them. Prospect is a good team."