Ebube, Knar power Mundelein in OT win
A big dunk, a big shot block — that’s what Mundelein junior Chino Ebube can bring to the Mustangs boys basketball team.
On Friday night, as Mundelein played host to rival Libertyville in a North Suburban Conference Lake division contest, Ebube proved he can score, too.
He hauled down his typical large amount of rebounds (14), but his offensive numbers (15 points) were anything but typical. His performance in regulation was huge. The effort in overtime by Robert Knar was even bigger as Mundelein rallied to knock off the Wildcats 71-63.
“I was just happy when we got to overtime that finally we got some composure,” Mundelein coach Richard Knar said. “We made a shot , then (Libertyville) made a shot, but we made free throws down the stretch and that was the difference.”
Mundelein (21-6, 8-3) looked to have this one under control. The Mustangs led 54-49 with 1:01 to play in regulation before Libertyville senior Griffin Pils got on one of those hot streaks that shooters dream about.
“He is clutch like that,” Libertyville coach Scott Bogumil said. “You can see when he gets that look in his eye, and he had it there when we needed it.”
Pils drained a pair of free throws then split a pair before the shooter used his touch to bring the game even. Pils did the work late, but it was the play of senior Ellis Matthews that kept the Wildcats in it early. His 21 points led all scorers.
Knar split a pair of free throws and on the second one, Pils took the rebound, dribbled past half court, dribbled twice more then buried a 35-foot 3-pointer to bring the game even at 55.
“I just started looking for my shot more and started hitting a couple, said Pils who scored 12 straight for the Wildcats at the end of the fourth quarter an in overtime. “The guy guarding me kind of stepped back, and I just thought I would shoot it — and it went in.”
The rally from Libertyville (14-9, 4-6) carried over into the extra session as Pils (18 points) scored 6 of the 8 Wildcats points, but he fouled out with 61 seconds left and Mundelein and Knar pulled away from there.
Knar scored 8 of his team-best 19 in the extra session and had an assist on a bucket by Ebube that helped to seal the win.
“I’ve been working hard in practice every day on my scoring,” Ebube said. “I like to block shots and rebound, but I am working harder on scoring.”
Ebube and Knar were joined in double figures by Nate Williams (11 points) and Sean O’Brien who contributed 12 rebounds to go with 13 points.