Cary-Grove outlasts Jacobs in 2 OTs
Cary-Grove simply refused to lose.
Scoring the last 12 points of regulation, which included a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Ryan Arquette, the Trojans eventually pulled out a 53-50 double overtime win over Jacobs in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division boys basketball play in Algonquin Monday night. The game was a makeup from Jan. 20 which was snowed out.
“We extended our zone in the fourth quarter and played more aggressively on the defensive end,” said Cary-Grove coach Ralph Schueltze. “We confused them with our trap. Our guys have hung in there all season and they hung in there tonight.”
Jacobs (4-18, 2-5) seemed on its way to victory when Brad Cleveland scored on a layup with 6:03 left in the game to give the Golden Eagles a 12-point, 38-26 lead.
Unfortunately for Jacobs those would be the last points it would score in regulation.
Cary-Grove forward Eric Graham ignited the Trojans’ rally with 4 points on a pair of baskets to pull the Trojans within 8, 38-30, with 3:59 left. A 3-pointer by Matt Motzel with 38 seconds got Cary-Grove to within 3, 38-35.
After a missed free throw by Jacobs’ Alex Glover, Schueltze called a time out to set up a last-second play. Coming off multiple screens, Arquette drilled a 3-pointer as time expired to tie the game at 38 and send the game into overtime.
“Coach Schueltze set up a great last play,” said Arquette. “I got some great screens and got the ball in great position to score. It felt good when it left my hands. ”
In the first overtime, Cary-Grove’s Ben Bradshaw connected on a layup with 8 seconds left to tie the game at 45 and send the game into a second overtime session.
In the second OT, Graham made a layup with 13 seconds left to give the Trojans a 51-47 lead. Jacobs didn’t give up and Johnny Holbrook nailed a 3-pointer with 9.6 seconds left to make the score 51-50.
Arquette’s 2 free throws with 3 seconds left sealed the win for the Trojans (5-17, 2-6).
Arquette paced the Trojans with 16 points while Jake Bianchi scored 15. Cleveland led Jacobs with 13 while Glover scored 12.
“We had so many opportunities to win this game,” said Jacobs coach Jim Hinkle. “We missed free throws, lay ups and committed too many turnovers. This is a team loss. Everybody on the team must share responsibility for this loss. “