Mundelein runs away with Jacobs

Once the Mundelein boys basketball team got running Tuesday night, Jacobs was able to do little to stop the Mustangs.

Mundelein went on a 15-2 run to end the first quarter to break open a 2-point game and cruised the rest of the way for a 67-48 victory over the Golden Eagles in the final pool-play game of the Jacobs Holiday Classic.

“We mixed good defense with getting good shots on offense,” Mundelein coach Dick Knar said. “That's what built the lead for us. We started getting rebounds and getting out and getting easier baskets.”

The Mustangs (10-2) went 3-0 in Pool I and will face Bartlett, which won Pool II, at 7:30 p.m. today in a semifinal. Jacobs (6-3) will play Crystal Lake Central at 4:30 p.m. in the consolation A semifinals.

The Golden Eagles trailed by just 2, 8-6, with 5 minutes remaining in the first quarter. Then the Mustangs scored the next 11 points, starting with back-to-back 3-pointers by Richard Knar and Leavon Head. The run ended up being 15-2 to end the quarter, giving Mundelein a 23-8 lead.

Jacobs shot just 3-of-13 and had 7 turnovers, including 6 in the final 3 ½ minutes, in the quarter.

“We did a good job with our defense,” said Mundelein senior Ryan Sawvell, who finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocks. “We went to one of our traps and they couldn't handle the pressure very well. We got them to force up some quick shots and that was good for our offense.”

The Mustangs continued to roll in the second quarter, outscoring Jacobs 21-12, to take a 44-20 lead at halftime. Jacobs never got closer than 19 in the second half.

“We knew what we had to do, we just didn't execute,” Jacobs senior guard Nick Hofman said. “We turned it over too much. We were too impatient on offense.”

Hofman led the Golden Eagles with 13 points. Mike Peterson added 9.

Mundelein's Robert Knar continued his torrid scoring pace at the tournament with 22 points, including hitting five 3-pointers. Head added 10 points and 7 assists for the Mustangs, who beat Bartlett, 58-46, at their own tournament earlier this season.