Big night from Krutwig lifts Jacobs past PR
Jacobs boys basketball coach Jim Hinkle wasn't sure what to expect after a 10-day layoff.
He didn't need to worry.
Led by Conrad Krutwig's monster effort of 26 points, 17 rebounds and 6 blocked shots, Jacobs defeated pesky Prairie Ridge 59-52 in a Fox Valley Conference crossover game in Crystal Lake Tuesday night.
Tim Moran, who is a 4-year starter like Krutwig, added 11 points, 12 rebounds and dished out 4 assists for the Golden Eagles.
Jacobs (11-2) could have won by double digits, but made only 9-of-20 from the free throw line for 45 percent.
"I thought we played well for not having played a game for such a long time," said Hinkle. "The kids played hard and executed well. We did very well in the technical parts of the game. They just didn't have an answer for Conrad and Tim. We are a good free throw shooting team and we could have won by more if we would have shot free throws like we usually do."
Leading 28-22 at halftime, Jacobs gave itself some breathing room by scoring the first 6 points of the third quarter. With Krutwig and Mike Barch connecting on 3 pointers, Jacobs led 34-22 with 5:22 left in the third quarter.
Led by the hot shooting of Bryan Bradshaw the Wolves got back in the game. Bradshaw scored 12 points in the third including a pair of 3-pointers as PR got to within 4, 38-34, with 1:05 left.
That would be as close as the Wolves would get.
Jacobs regained its 12 point lead, 51-39, after a 3 by Moran with 2:55 left.
"Ridge is a tough team and they are so well coached," said Moran. "We were off a little bit off tonight. But, it is always nice to win at Ridge. This is a tough place to win."
Barch complimented Krutwig and Moran with 10 points.
Chad Ljunggren led PR with 20 points, 12 in the fourth quarter. Bradshaw scored 19 before fouling out with 4:22 left.
"Next time we are in a close game situation hopefully we will react better," said PR coach Corky Card. "Jacobs is a talented team and they run some good stuff. It was a good effort by our kids."