Saurbaugh, Larkin edge Rolling Meadows in overtime

Entering the second quarter of Saturday's game against Rolling Meadows, Larkin needed some one to take control of the game.

Jeff Saurbaugh stepped forward.

The Larkin senior point guard scored a game-high 27 points as the Royals downed Rolling Meadows 61-59 in overtime to capture 11th place on Saturday at the Elgin Holiday Tournament.

"I was just penetrating and looking for assists," said Saurbaugh, who added 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. "When I had the ball, I could make shots for me and my teammates."

Saurbaugh converted several shot opportunities for both.

The Mustangs (6-6) had tied the game at 54-54 in overtime with Jimmy Garoppolo's offensive putback with 2:07 left to play.

Saurbaugh immediately took the inbounds pass, drove the length of the floor and put Larkin up 57-54 after converting a 3-point play. The senior finished the game shooting 10 of 18 from the floor after starting just 1 of 4 in the opening period.

"We had a difficult time stopping the dribble penetration," Rolling Meadows coach Kevin Katovich said. "We didn't do a good job containing (Saurbaugh). We couldn't get the big stop."

Larkin (6-7) also struggled to get the big stop.

After Saurbaugh put Larkin ahead 57-54, Richie Kemph converted a pair of free throws to bring Rolling Meadows back within 1 at 57-56. Kemph finished with 24 points and shot 8 of 18 from the floor, but was 1 of 4 in overtime.

Rolling Meadows had a chance to go ahead after Saurbaugh missed a shot with under a minute to play. Rolling Meadows's Will Trunk was short on his 3-point attempt the next trip down the floor, with Royals guard Drew Simonini getting fouled on the rebound attempt.

Simonini nailed both free throws with 49 seconds left to seal the victory.

Kemph put Rolling Meadows up 52-51 with his 5th 3-pointer 53 seconds into overtime, but Ryan Smith answered back on the next trip down the floor for Larkin to put up 54-52.

Saurbaugh found Terell John (14 points) in the lane with 1:47 left in regulation to tie the game at 47. Neither team scored again, forcing overtime. After trailing 15-10 after the first quarter, Saurbaugh scored 11 points in the second quarter to bring Larkin to within 26-24 at halftime.

"Jeff took it on his shoulders," Larkin coach Larry Hight said. "He took it inside. That's what the offense is about. Jeff ran the offense real good."