Glenbard North cool under Wheaton North pressure
Glenbard North hasn't played in too many close games this season.
The Panthers may want to try it more often.
Lockdown defense and late composure combined to give Glenbard North a 60-50 DuPage Valley Conference boys basketball victory Friday at Wheaton North.
Pushed by the Falcons (5-13, 1-7) until the final minute, Glenbard North (6-11, 4-4) maintained a steady hand until the buzzer. Although the Panthers as a team made only 11 of 23 free throws, James Fleming stepped up to hit 8 of 10 in the final 43 seconds.
"We did a great job," said Fleming, who scored a game-high 19 points. "We stepped up on defense, held them to 2 points in the third quarter. Everyone played well, and we pulled out a big win."
Kind of like the 1-point win over Lake Park and the 2-point overtime win over Marmion. When it's come down to crunchtime, the Panthers haven't been too bad.
In Friday's win Trey Martin scored all 8 of his points in the first quarter to give the Falcons a 19-11 lead. The margin was 30-23 after Zach Dungee's 3-pointer late in the first half before the Panthers closed within 32-30 at the break.
Glenbard North dominated the third quarter, holding the Falcons scoreless for the first four minutes, 53 seconds. The Panthers grabbed the lead at 34-32 and never relinquished it back to Wheaton North.
The only problem was the Panthers couldn't build a big lead because of their own offensive woes. Despite holding Wheaton North to only 2 third-quarter points - and despite Reggie Davis scoring all 8 of his points in the period - the Panthers led just 39-34 heading to the fourth quarter.
"Our defense is what won us the game," said Panthers coach Joe Larson. "That was the key. We did a nice job keeping our composure."
Jeff Schalk's basket pulled Wheaton North within 48-46 with 2:47 left in the game. The Falcons missed a 3-point attempt for the lead just moments later, and Fleming responded with his own 3-pointer to spark an 8-0 run.
Mike Carev scored 12 points for the Panthers while Dungee led Wheaton North with 12 points and Mike Fitzpatrick tallied 11 points.
"Glenbard North made plays when they had to," said Falcons coach Jim Nazos. "Defensively we were right there. We were just a run away."
BOX SCORE
Glenbard North 60, Wheaton North 50
Glenbard North - Smith 3 0-2 6, Fleming 5 8-11 19, Govedarica 3 2-5 8, Watkins 3 1-2 7, Davis 4 0-2 8, Slobodecki 0 0-0 0, Carev 5 0-1 12, Kraus 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 1-23 60.
Wheaton North - Small 2 0-0 4, Bradley 2 1-2 5, Fitzpatrick 4 3-6 11, Dungee 4 1-2 12, Martin 3 1-4 8, Schalk 4 0-0 8, Matosian 0 2-2 2, Finley 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 8-16 50.
Glenbard North 11 19 9 21 -60
Wheaton North 19 13 2 16 -50
3-point baskets: GN: Carev 2, Fleming. WN: Dungee 3, Martin. Fouled out: None.