Redhawks hit from deep

It wasn't snowing in Naperville Thursday evening, but there was a blizzard of 3-pointers inside the Naperville Central gymnasium.

The Redhawks put on a long-range shooting exhibition, hitting 10 3-pointers to gain a 64-54 win over visiting Glenbard East to stay within a half-game of DuPage Valley Conference leader Wheaton North.

The Redhawks are 9-2 in conference (14-10 overall) and the Falcons are 9-1.

"This was an important game for us," said the Redhawks' Emma Ondik. "If we lost we would have had three losses. Now if we beat Wheaton North we have the same number of losses."

With the Redhawks trailing 11-9 at the beginning of the second quarter, the barrage of 3-pointers began in the first minute with reserve guard Maggie Buoy hitting from downtown to give Naperville Central the lead.

The Redhawks then proceeded to connect on five more from beyond the arc in the period. In fact Catherine Tanck's layup was the only two-point goal of the period.

Kelley Hendrick, who scored a game-high 25, hit four of her five 3-pointers in that second period as the Redhawks took a 29-22 lead.

Ondik, who finished with 14 points, put in four from 3-point range in the game.

"Outside shooting is one of our strengths," Hendrick said. "We can shoot and drive and they can't stop us. We had extra motivation tonight because Glenbard East beat us earlier in the season."

The Redhawks hit the first seven points of the third quarter to open a 36-22 lead and the Rams (15-7, 6-4) would never get closer than seven points down again.

"The difference in the game was the 3-point shooting," said Glenbard East coach Nicole Miller. "But when they stretched the lead in the third quarter, we couldn't fight back."

In the fourth quarter the Rams fouled to stop the clock and get the ball back, but the Redhawks went 12 of 15 from the foul line to ice the game.

Naperville Central got a super performance from junior forward Tanck, who hit the double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. She also blocked 3 shots.

"Catherine has always been a good rebounder and defensive player," said Naperville coach Andy Nussbaum. "But she's struggled to finish on offense. Tonight she played practically the whole game and she did a great job of finishing. This was the best game of her career."

"This game will get my confidence up for the rest of the season," Tanck said. "I worked hard, boxed out and hit my shots. When I was doubled inside, I passed it out and my teammates hit those 3-pointers."

Kelsey Taylor led Glenbard East with 15 points, while Jackie Foreman scored 14 and Jamie Klepetka added 10.

"Naperville Central hustled and did a great job at the end," Miller said. "In the first half we came out well, but our defense broke down a little and they started hitting those 3s."