Muldoon, Schaumburg celebrate Senior Night with win over Conant
It could have been a lost year for Ryan Muldoon and the rest of the Schaumburg seniors. But Muldoon made it a Senior Night to remember at Schaumburg Friday.
Muldoon scored a career-high 15 points to lead the hot-shooting Saxons to a 55-38 Mid-Suburban West boys basketball win over Conant. It was the most points scored in game by Schaumburg (3-5,3-4) this season.
"I just wanted to keep on playing," Muldoon said. "Hoping for a season for the love of the game. I am ecstatic. For the last three months I didn't think we would get this. And now it's Senior Night."
Muldoon and the rest of his Schaumburg teammates were on fire early.
Muldoon knocked down his first four shots, including a 3-pointer. Inspired, the Saxons went on to convert 12 of their first 15 shots as they built a 32-15 lead.
"I absolutely love our seniors," said Schaumburg coach Wade Heisler, who started five seniors.
"It is a lot to be a senior in this day and age and to make it all the way through in a COVID year like this. You know you lost things you are playing for and still be dedicated to the program. I can't be more proud of the way they came out for us tonight and led us with energy."
Schaumburg continued its assault as it roared to a 41-23 lead at the break. The Saxons led 45-25 when Conant (2-6, 1-6) made a run in the third quarter.
Led by Devon Ellis, who had two fouls and missed most of the second quarter, the Cougars climbed back. Ellis' free throws just before the end of the quarter made it 48-37.
Schaumburg put the clamps on Conant from there. The Saxons forced 4 turnovers and Conant missed all 10 of its field goal attempts in the final quarter, while scoring just 1 point.
""I thought we got it together and defended well," Heisler said. "We tightened up real well in the fourth."
Conant was led by Sean Beckman, who had 16 points and Ellis, who finished with 11 points.
"We struggled and didn't come ready to play," Conant coach Jim Maley said. "We play well in spurts and we disappear sometimes. We have to figure that out."
Vaurice Patterson had 11 points for Schaumburg and Armen Torosian had 8 points.
"It has been a rough year and I am just glad we got a chance to play," said Schaumburg senior Cameron Nicks, who finished with 8 points and posed for pictures with the Saxons' five other seniors after the game.
"It is Senior Night and it is great to play all together. We have been friends since we were young and this is a brotherhood."