Jacobs' rally falls short

ROCKTON Monday was anything but a Normal day for Jacobs.

A spirited second-half comeback fell short as the Golden Eagles fell to Normal Community 72-60 at the King Classic at Hononegah High School.

Earlier in the day, the Eagles dropped a 60-56 heartbreaker to Normal West.

In the afternoon game, the Eagles trailed at halftime 43-25. But led by Nick Hofman, who scored all 20 of his points in the second half after sitting out much of the first half with foul trouble, Jacobs got back within single digits. They trailed 58-51 with five minutes to play but could get no closer.

Jacobs couldn't contain Normal's 6-foot-8 Parker Musselman, who finished with 22 points and 7 rebounds.

Alex Glover added 16 points and 9 rebounds, and Mike Peterson had 13 points for Jacobs (9-8).

"In the first half they really took it to us," said Jacobs coach Jim Hinkle. "But I was really happy with how we came back."

Led by Musselman and Anthony Beane (18 points), the Ironmen shot 63 percent from the field in the first half to open the big lead.

"We didn't think they could continue that torrid shooting they had," said Hinkle, "But we needed to stay in it, keep our heads, keep our composure. It never feels good to get beat, but it feels good to know the level we're playing at this weekend."

Hofman scored 5 quick points after intermission, then came up with a steal and fed Peterson for a "3" to make it 45-33. Jacobs stretched the run to 12-3 on a jumper by Glover to get within 10 points.

The Eagles' comeback eventually faltered as they missed 5 straight shots at one point, but they wound up "winning" the second half, 35-29.

In the morning game, Hofman scored 15 points and Peterson added 14, but the Eagles missed key free throws down the stretch and fell to Normal West, which got 14 points from Austin Stewart.