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Hampshire turns tables on Kaneland with 51-44 win

After losing to Kaneland in the Marengo Christmas tournament after a very short turnaround, Hampshire's boys basketball team wanted to prove that it could indeed play with the Knights.

The Whip-Purs proved their point, downing Kaneland, 51-44, Saturday afternoon in nonconference action in Hampshire. It was Hampshire's eighth straight win.

Justin Bieber scored 24 points and James Goebbert added 15 to lead the Whip-Purs (13-6). Dave Dudzinski had 15 points and 8 rebounds for Kaneland.

The Knights took advantage of their size early. With the 6-foot-9 Dudzinski and the 6-7 Christian Dillon controlling the paint, and guards Ryley Bailey and Chris Ott hitting 3-pointers, the Knights built a 12-8 lead. But Hampshire scored the final 11 points of the first quarter to take the lead for good.

The rest of the game was something like an accordion, with Hampshire pulling away and Kaneland catching up. The Knights got within a single point several times, but could never get over the hump.

Will Bush had 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists for Hampshire.

"We've just got to keep the roll going," said Hampshire coach Bob Barnett.

Dillon finished with 10 points, while Chaon Denlinger added 7 points off the bench for Kaneland (8-10).

Kaneland's main problem was a familiar one.

"The bottom line is we've got to shoot the ball better," said Knights' coach Dennis Hansen. "That's been our Achilles' heel for awhile now."

The Knights shot just 31 percent for the game.

Hampshire took its biggest lead at 44-32 on a 3-pointer by Bieber. Denlinger answered with a 3 to start a 7-3 run that made it 47-42 with 1:39 to play. But the Knights could get no closer.

All 14 players saw action for Kaneland, with 7 getting into the scoring column.

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