Aurora Christian downs Harvest Christian

Aurora Christian's boys basketball team took a major step toward winning its own Burney Wilkie Classic Friday night.

Junior guard Jake Wolfe scored 17 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out 6 assists while Tanner Driscoll added 15 points - all coming on 3-pointers - and 8 rebounds during the Eagles' 58-49 victory over Harvest Christian (5-2) in Aurora.

However, the biggest factor in the game may have come at the defensive end as the Eagles (3-0) forced the Lions into 25 percent shooting from the field (15 for 59), including 1 for 15 accuracy on 3-point attempts in the second half.

"That's a very good transition team," Eagles coach Dan Beebe said of Harvest Christian. "We knew that defensive transition was going to be a key for us tonight.

"It was a good defensive effort. We played really well. Another key was rebounding (40-35 advantage)."

Trailing 45-35 after 3 quarters, the Lions made a late run, pulling within 5 at 54-49 on a layup by J.J. Flores (7 points) with 1:23 remaining.

Aurora Christian responded, scoring 4 points in a wild 3-second span to extend its lead to 58-49.

First, Wolfe found Zach Zavasnik (4 points, 9 rebounds) down low for a reverse layup before Colton Schutt stole the inbounds pass and converted to help put the game out of reach.

"Colton had a big fourth quarter for us," Wolfe said of Schutt, who scored all 10 of his points in the second half. "That steal at the end was huge."

The fourth quarter also included an acrobatic, spinning drive by Wolfe, who somehow made the shot with his back facing the basket while drawing a foul.

"I don't know," Wolfe said of the shot that gave the Eagles a 47-39 lead with 5:31 remaining. "I just flipped it up."

Brock Harner chipped in with 9 points as the Eagles held the Lions 19 points below their tournament average coming into the contest.

"Brock guarded Andre (White Jr.) most of the game," said Beebe. "He got some baskets and free throws late but really corralled him well."

Brennen Woods (18 points, 11 rebounds) and White Jr. (14 points, 6 rebounds) paced Harvest Christian.

"Our defense - that really determined the game for me," said Lions coach Andre White.

Playing their fourth game in as many nights, the Lions connected on just 4 of 26 of their 3-point attempts (15 percent).

"We haven't practiced in a week and a half," said White. "You definitely need a practice and sometimes you just need a break. They (the Eagles) had a whole day off yesterday. They were fresher than we are.

"Even with playing all these games, we still could've won that game. We'll be fine."

It may have felt like a blowout win for the Eagles, who recorded 3-point victories in each of their first two games.

"Every game has been close and we've figured out a way to win," said Beebe.