Lisle falters down the stretch
According to Lisle coach Dan Murray, Tuesday's Senior Night game was about missed opportunities.
The Lions bounced back from a 9-point first-half deficit against visiting Hinckley-Big Rock, trimming the Royals' lead down at 32-30 in the final minutes.
However, Lisle was unable to capitalize down the stretch, and a free throw and putback by the visitors in the final seconds sealed a 35-30 loss, dropping the Lions to 17-6 on the season.
"It was a just a matter of us being able to knock down shots, and I thought throughout the course of the game we had our opportunities," Murray said. "We didn't shoot the ball well. In the third quarter we knocked down some shots."
Lisle connected on only 5 field goals in the first half, including a 3-pointer off the backboard by Mariah Ortega for the first points of the game.
Hinckley-Big Rock entered the third quarter up 23-14 when the Lions stormed back behind a 7-2 run. A hook shot in the pant by Darian Payne started the comeback. She finished the run with a fastbreak layup off a pass from Kristina Fernette, making the score 25-21.
Shelby Kretman twice cut the Royals' lead to 2 in the fourth quarter. Her 3-point basket from the top of the key made the score 30-28.
Hinckley-Big Rock's Katie Hollis followed with a short jumper along the base line, but Kretman again delivered with a layup that hung on the basket for a short time before falling through the net.
Down 32-30, a steal by Payne gave Lisle the ball with just more than three minutes left. From there the Lions held the possession for nearly the rest of the game, grabbing 3 offensive rebounds while also regaining the ball on a possession arrow.
"We got on the offensive glass, we were patient and we got good looks," Murray said of his team's extended offensive possession. "But it's the same thing. You've got to be able to knock down shots in big moments."
The possession finally concluded with a missed shot by Kretman and a Hinckley-Big Rock defensive rebound with just two seconds left.
Lauren Paver knocked down 1 of 2 free throws on the Royals' ensuing possession, and Hollis' putback on the second missed free throw sealed the victory.
Afterward, Murray spoke highly of a senior class that has played a key role on an otherwise young Lions squad.
"They're all outstanding leaders," Murray said of his seniors. "They're role models for the younger kids in the program in terms of their dedication and commitment."