Fremd hangs tough with Downers South

Fremd did not have an easy task as it had to hit the road to highly regarded Downers Grove South for a nonconference boys basketball game Monday night.

And the Vikings didn’t make it easy as they led after three quarters before falling 66-55.

“We really competed tonight and we were in there,” said Fremd coach Bob Widlowski as his team led 28-25 at halftime and 44-40 going into the fourth quarter. “We’re disappointed we didn’t win the game because we really thought we were doing the things necessary to come out with a win.

“We weren’t playing to keep the score close and I don’t think the score is indicative of the game.”

Riley Glassman (16 points) and Garrett Peters (12 points) each hit two 3-pointers for Fremd (10-7) and Sean Benka had 11 points.

Glassman played his second game after missing two-plus games with back trouble. Benka hit all 6 of his free throws as the team was perfect on 12 attempts.

“I thought Riley and Benka played well overall,” Widlowski said. “Overall we played with a great deal of energy but you can’t have breakdowns against a team with that kind of athletes.”

Downers South (11-2) took the lead for good midway through the fourth quarter behind the standout guard duo of Jamal Millison (21 points, four 3s) and Jerron Wilbut (17 points).

“They got a couple of putbacks in key situations in the fourth quarter to get the lead,” Widlowski said. “Once they got the lead they did a good job of keeping it down the stretch.”

Fremd completes a tough 10-game stretch of games away from home Saturday at Barrington. Friday’s 49-46 win at Conant created a four-way tie for the Mid-Suburban West lead at 3-1 between the Vikings, Cougars, Broncos and Schaumburg.

“We’ve had two good efforts in a row and that’s what we’re trying to work on,” Widlowski said. “It’s good to have Riley back and getting healthy and getting back in the flow and that will help us as we continue on here.”