Cary-Grove adjusts, dumps Jacobs in FVC Valley
Like an old car in bitter, cold weather, Cary-Grove's offense had trouble getting started Friday night.
After a first quarter which produced 2-of-14 shooting, 8 turnovers and only 5 points, the Trojans turned up the afterburners during the final 24 minutes of the game.
Outscoring Jacobs 48-35 in the last 3 quarters, Cary-Grove was able to post a 53-41 win over the Golden Eagles in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division girls basketball action in Cary.
"Jacobs' defense is so tough it is hard to attack," said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. "They do a great job of changing up their defenses and presses. After the first quarter, we did a better job of attacking their defense and we got some good shots."
Despite a miserable first quarter, the Trojans (17-1, 4-0) trailed Jacobs by only a point, 6-5 after 8 minutes.
Jacobs (15-6, 3-1) matched Cary-Grove's offensive ineptitude in the first quarter with 2-of-16 shooting and 8 turnovers.
With Cary-Grove holding an 11-10 lead in the second quarter, the Trojans scored the final 7 points of the half to take an 18-10 lead at intermission.
The 7-0 surge was spearheaded by a 3-pointer from Liz Bart and baskets from Christina Bear and Claire Jakubicek.
Jacobs, which couldn't cut into the Trojans' halftime lead in the second half, made only 10-of-45 shots from the field for 22 percent and committed 33 turnovers.
"We got very good shots, but they didn't fall," said Jacobs coach Ed Haugens. "We didn't make good decisions with the ball and had way too many unforced turnovers. We played hard, but Cary-Grove played well."
The Trojans' biggest lead was 19, after Paige Lincicum canned a long 3-pointer from deep in the left corner. Lincicum was fouled on the play and converted the free throw for a 4-point play that gave the Trojans a 49-30 lead with 4:18 remaining.
Lincicum ended with 10 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.
"Paige's 4-point play was huge," said Saffert. "She has earned more playing time and played well tonight."
Jakubicek led the Trojans with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
"Jacobs is a good team that plays good defense," said Jakubicek. "We had to make a lot of adjustments during the game, but we executed when we had to."
Bart added 13 points with four 3-pointers for the winners.
Sierra Dunner led Jacobs with 17 points while Maria Tamburrino scored 10.