Downers Grove South tops Waubonsie Valley

As much as he tried, Ziggy Riauka wasn't going to be able to deflect credit for Saturday's performance.

The Downers Grove South senior simply dominated in a 73-66 nonconference boys basketball victory over visiting Waubonsie Valley.

Riauka, a 6-foot-8 post player, scored a career-high 32 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked 5 shots to help the Mustangs (12-3) hold off a 3-point barrage by Waubonsie Valley sophomore Jared Brownridge and senior Jakobi Johnson.

The Warriors duo combined for 45 points and 11 3-pointers, but Downers South never trailed as Riauka's effort paced four Mustangs players in double figures.

With Downers South's talented tandem of Jerron Wilbut, who finished with 2 points, and Jamall Millison, who tallied 11, struggling through foul trouble, Riauka needed to step up.

"We shared the ball really well, which helped me inside," said Riauka, whose previous best was 19 points earlier this season. "I was fortunately open most of the time because if Dan (Jurgutis) or somebody threw it, they'd look for me inside and I was able to get those buckets."

Downers South stormed to an early 10-point lead and built its biggest lead of 32-18 late in the first half. Waubonsie Valley (9-6) gradually rallied on the outside shooting of Brownridge, who scored 25 points, and Johnson, who added 21.

Back-to-back Johnson 3-pointers narrowed the gap to 46-43 midway through the third quarter. The Warriors again pulled within 3 points on another Johnson basket, but Downers South extended the advantage with a 6-0 burst capped by a steal and basket by Jurgutis.

"Our guys played hard, we competed until the end," said Waubonsie Valley coach Steve Weemer. "We've got to clean up some stuff defensively because I think we're a better team than we showed defensively tonight. We didn't get the stops we needed when it was close."

Five 3-pointers from Brownridge and Johnson kept the Warriors close in the fourth quarter, but Downers South answered every time. The Mustangs never allowed consecutive baskets and maintained at least a 5-point lead throughout the final quarter.

Jurgutis and Kevin Honn joined Millison with 11 points for the Mustangs.

"We didn't play a perfect game, but we played well enough, at times, to win," said Mustangs coach Jay Baum.