Wheaton Warrenville South stuns Glenbard East
A backdoor pass ended any comeback hopes for Glenbard East.
Wheaton Warrenville South sophomore Matt Kienzle snuck behind the Rams defense, dropping in an easy layup to help key a 6-0 run in the final 1:45 and the Tigers' 50-44 victory over host Glenbard East in DuPage Valley Conference action Friday night.
"Give them credit, we were fortunate enough to walk out of here with a victory," said Tigers coach Bob Szorc. "We took care of the basketball, and it was our execution that helped us tonight."
Kienzle's bucket capped a frenzied fourth quarter that saw the Rams tie the game with four minutes left in the game after being down by as much as 11. Senior Danny Roadman gave the Tigers a 4-point cushion when he drove to the basket uncontested with 1:44 left, making it a 48-44 advantage. After the Rams missed two open 3-point attempts, including one by Rams guard Dante Bailey, the Tigers iced the game with a pair of free throws from Roadman.
The Tigers (5-10, 2-4) held a 21-20 advantage heading into the locker room, but roared into the second half with a quick 11-3 run keyed by senior Tim Zyburt. Zyburt, who had 18 points, opened the scoring with a jumper, and then after a layup by senior Pat Garner, drained a 3-pointer, giving the Tigers an 8-point lead.
"He's starting to really mature," Szorc said of Zyburt. "In order for us to win, he has to play well. He's a key part of that puzzle."
The Rams (8-6, 3-3) began chipping away at the lead in large part due to Bailey's 12 points in the quarter, all 3-pointers. Zyburt scored the last basket of the quarter, giving WW South a 40-34 lead into the final eight minutes.
"You can't give them second chances," Glenbard East coach Scott Miller said. "It all starts on the defensive end, and right now we're not playing very good defense."
The Rams rallied early, riding the hot hand of junior Danny Ryan, who buried two 3s, pulling the Rams even at 42 with 5:05 left. The Tigers' Zach Zlabis benefitted from a backdoor pass that gave him an easy layup, giving the Tigers a 44-42 lead. Ryan answered again, this time on a fastbreak layup, courtesy of a terrific save and pass from junior Greg Ludwig. Despite pulling even again, the Rams defense could not stop the Tigers in the final two minutes.
"It's the story of this group, it has to be a 32-minute game," Miller said. "Give Wheaton South a lot of credit. They hit big shots and really made it difficult for us to put the ball in the basket. I know I've said it, but we have to get better defensively."