Bush, MCC too much for ECC
Will Bush texted McHenry County College coach Steve Ryan over winter break and told him he was ready to play big.
Bush, a former Hampshire player, showed Elgin Community College exactly what he meant by 2010 being "his year".
Bush finished with a game-high 21 points as MCC downed ECC 71-61 in Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference men's basketball action in Elgin Tuesday.
"I've got so much confidence," said Bush, who added 7 rebounds.
The confidence held ECC from ever leading in Tuesday night's game and failing to capitalize on some plays which looked to be big momentum swings.
The Spartans (4-16, 0-4) pulled within 47-45 when Martell Hutchinson (13 points) hit a layup with 15:45 left in the second half.
But after two defensive stops, ECC couldn't find the basket and Bush would eventually extend MCC's lead to 50-45 with a 3-pointer with 13:20 left to play. The Spartans would never come within 3 points in the rest of the game.
"Will has been one of those kids that has stepped up after Winter break, especially on defense," Ryan said. "He's hit some big shots for us."
ECC was looking for someone to hit a big shot. The Spartans went 33 percent (11 of 33) from the floor in the second half and were just 2 of 11 from beyond the 3-point line.
"It's been like that for the last 4 games," Spartans coach Reed Nosbisch said. "We get to a certain point and we can't get a stop or can't get a bucket. We get a stop and then can't convert."
The same things rung true for the Spartans in the first half. ECC made it a one-possession game six times in the first half, but again could never take a lead. Former St. Edward star Brett Manning (8 points) capped off an 8-0 to bring ECC within 30-28 with 4:10 remaining in the first half.
But Madison Maxwell (10 points, 11 rebounds) answered right back on MCC's next trip down the court as the Scots went on a 7-3 run to close out the first half. MCC also finished 17 of 25 from the free-throw line, while ECC was just 8 of 15.
"We just couldn't get that one stop we needed," said ECC forward Aaron Reams, who finished with 10 points and 4 blocks. "They have really good shooters and they made that 1 shot when they needed it."
Dundee-Crown grad Dave Bernhard led ECC with 18 points and Elgin Academy product Andrew Smith added 9. MCC got 11 points and 9 rebounds from former Huntley standout Anthony Jaggers and 7 points and 3 assists from Streamwood native Tem Esikiel.