Dundee-Crown stops Cary-Grove
Dundee-Crown saved its best for last.
Scoring the final 10 points of the game, the Chargers outlasted visiting Cary-Grove 50-39 in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division boys basketball action in Carpentersville Friday night.
“We were tough down the stretch and did a good job of keeping our composure,” said Dundee-Crown coach Lance Huber. “I thought we passed the ball well and were very unselfish. Ryan (Smith) played a very good game and we made some free throws at the end.”
Cary-Grove (7-13, 2-4), which trailed by as many as 14 on numerous occasions in the first half, tied the score at 38 on a 15-footer by Nick Richter with 4:22 left in the game.
D-C (11-8, 3-3) took the lead for good 40-38 on a layup by Smith off a nifty assist from Jamel Kimbrough. The Trojans pulled within a point, 40-39, as Richter converted 1-of-3 free throws with 3:59 left. That would be the last point the Trojans would score. Cary-Grove, which missed its last 8 shots from the field, also missed its last 5 free throws.
Smith, who scored a game-high 23 points, tallied 7 points including a 3 pointer as D-C ended the game on a 10-0 run. Dylan Kissack also connected on 2 crucial free throws in the waning moments as D-C posted an 11-point victory.
“We played with a lot of energy and held our composure at the end of the game,” said Smith. “Brandon Rodriguez did a great job in his first start at point guard. He did a great job of facilitating our offense and made sure all our guys got great shots.”
Kimbrough added 11 points with 6 assists and 8 rebounds for the winners.
Richter paced the Trojans with 19 points and 3 assists. Cary-Grove only made 7-of-14 free throws for 50 percent.
“We did a great job of coming back in the game,” said Cary-Grove coach Ralph Schueltze. “We got within striking distance but we couldn’t get emotionally over the top. Down the stretch we missed some free throws and made some costly turnovers. We are not a good free throw shooting team, only shooting 63 percent for the season. Missed free throws have hurt us all year and it hurt us tonight.”