Elk Grove weathers BG's big comeback

The Buffalo Grove girls basketball team went on a 21-5 run during the final five minutes of regulation against Mid-Suburban host Elk Grove on Friday, but the Bison were unable to overcome a 17-point fourth quarter deficit.

The Grens' 55-53 victory went from a slaughter to a nailbiter within the first three minutes of the final quarter. With 25 seconds left in regulation, Bison guard Andrea DiPrima sunk the first of 2 free throws to tie the game at 53.

But with what was likely Elk Grove's final play of the game, freshman Dani Goranson found Missy Regan under the basket for 2 points that sealed the win. It was only the Grens' second basket of the final four minutes in the game.

"We lost our composure for a few moments but stuck it out," Elk Grove coach Ryan Kirkorsky said. "I would have felt better keeping the lead we had, but our team needs to learn how to handle those situations."

Ashley Capotosto scored a game-high 21 points and snared 9 rebounds for Elk Grove (10-9, 2-4). She fouled out with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, which may have made all the difference for the Bison (7-14, 1-4).

"We'll take the win any way we can get it," Capotosto said. "But I don't think we should be satisfied with it. We gave way to their traps a bit and made a lot of turnovers. But Missy really stepped it up at the end and Dani did too with the assist. She's a freshman and we need stuff like that."

The Bison were led by Kaitlin Hillner with 17 points and Heather Nisbet (10 points), who hit a pair of 3-pointers.

"Our bench sparked us," BG coach Pat Dudle said. "They play with passion. They executed and got us back in the ball game and lit a fire under our starting five.

"We've been talking about moral victories all year," Dudle added. "We need victories."