Mustangs halt Redhawks' run
When an 18-point lead disintegrates, even the calmest minds consider panic.
The way Downers Grove South's boys basketball team has been playing, though, the Mustangs worried little.
They claimed their second major win of the weekend with Saturday's 64-59 victory over Naperville Central in the Downers Grove North Winter Classic.
On the heels of Friday's West Suburban Gold win at Proviso East - just the second in Maywood in program history - the Mustangs (11-4) won their sixth straight while ending a 12-game winning streak for the Redhawks (15-2).
"That was a great, great weekend," said Downers South coach Paul Runyon.
Downers South burst to a 43-25 lead on Julius Staisiunas' bucket midway through the third quarter. Staisiunas, who scored 12 points, was one of four Mustangs players to hit double-figure scoring.
Naperville Central, which struggled mightily at both ends up to that point, came alive in the final minutes of the third quarter. Drew Crawford and David Mallett combined for all the Redhawks' points during a 14-3 run.
The Redhawks kept surging in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter behind a pair of Danny Ondik 3-pointers. Crawford's putback, and two free throws tied the game at 52 with 5:43 left in the game.
Naperville Central had two shots to take the lead but couldn't get them to fall. After Downers South built an 8-point lead with 1:27 left, the Redhawks rallied again.
Alex Gorniak's free throw put the Mustangs ahead 62-59 with 17.4 seconds left. The Redhawks missed two 3-point shots to tie, and a pair of Malcolm Herron free throws iced the win for Downers South.
"We got the win, that's all that matters," said Herron, who led his team with 17 points. "We knew they'd get a run going, but we're an experienced team."
Bledar Dervishi had 14 points and Gorniak 12 for the Mustangs. Crawford tallied 16 of his 26 points from the line. Ondik added 13 points and Nick Linne 10 for the Redhawks.
"I thought the kids played an outstanding second half," said Redhawks coach Pete Kramer. "You can't fall behind by 18 and expect to come out on top."
In an earlier game at Downers North, Glenbard East (13-3) rolled to a 76-58 win over Hinsdale Central (7-6).
A double-digit lead narrowed to 45-44, but an 8-0 Rams run to close the third quarter proved to be the backbreaker.
"I thought we took their best shot and were able to respond," said Rams coach Scott Miller.
Glenbard East's five starters accounted for all the scoring. Johnny Hill led with 19 points while Zach Miller, Paul Sanders and Lee Skinner each added 16 points. Jack Merrithey finished with 9 points.
Jason Rafferty paced Hinsdale Central with 15 points. Jordan Williams scored 14 and Nick Kladis had 12 points.
"We had to stay aggressive," Hill said. "That was the main key for us. It's a big team effort with all of us."