Jacobs 46, Huntley 38

The Jacobs Golden Eagles were able to edge out the Huntley Red Raiders 46-38 Friday in a Fox Valley Conference crossover boys basketball game in Huntley.

Jacobs' Conrad Krutwig dominated the game early, but the Eagles were able to get help from everyone down the stretch.

"It was a tough game. It was a gutsy performance and I thought both teams played very hard," said Jacobs coach Jim Hinkle. "I am pretty excited (with the win). They have a tough team and they had a nice crowd, so it was a good win for us."

Krutwig outscored the Red Raiders himself in the opening quarter; scoring 8 of his game-high 16 points to help give the Eagles a 14-6 lead early.

The Red Raiders (10-6) came out and actually took the lead in the second quarter after going on an 11-2 run, but the Eagles (14-1) held on to a 21-19 lead at the end of the first half.

"The guys came into the locker room and were pretty pumped up and I said guys this isn't good enough. We are losing by 2 (points). I said we are here to win this game, not to play (Jacobs) close," said Huntley coach Marty Manning.

Huntley tied the game with a basket from Mike Gonzaga (6 points) on the first possession of the third quarter. Later in the quarter, Tom Giordano (8 points) and Jordan Neukirch (8 points) each drained 3-pointers to give Huntley its biggest lead of the game 29-25. Jacobs reclaimed the lead 32-29, but Huntley just wouldn't let the Eagles pull away. Zac Boster knocked down another 3-pointer for the Red Raiders as the buzzer sounded to even the game once again.

Jacobs worked a high-low game with Tim Moran and Krutwig the whole game, and just when Huntley started to collapse down low Darius Bowers was there to give the Eagles a boost. Bowers only had 6 points, but they all came when the Eagles needed them most.

"In the first quarter (the high-low) really killed us, but I think we adjusted pretty well. (Bowers) hit some big shots in the corner after we started sinking in on that high-low and that really hurt us," said Manning.

Bowers' main role is to come in and play defense, but his offense gave the Eagles the lift they needed.

"I am usually used strictly for (my) defense, but I was feeling it tonight so I kept shooting it," said Bowers. "(My confidence) to shoot, hasn't been there, but after tonight I might start pulling the trigger a little more."

John Moran had 9 points and 8 assists for Jacobs. Tim Moran added 8 points.