Defense lifts Jacobs past CL South
Jacobs scored only 13 points in the second half and shot only 30 percent from the floor for the game.
Senior starters Katy Cook and Maria Tamburrino were plagued by fouls the entire game.
It didn't matter.
The Golden Eagles' defensive effort was outstanding. Holding Crystal Lake South to 11 second-half points, 4 in the fourth quarter, Jacobs was able to hold on for a 40-30 win over the Gators in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division action at South's Gator Alley Tuesday.
South, which made only 11-of-55 shots from the field for 20 percent, was only 1-of-10 from 3-point range.
"We played a very good defensive game against a good South team," said Jacobs coach Ed Haugens. 'I liked the way we hit the defensive boards. We rebounded the ball well at both ends. We are maturing as a team."
Leading 27-19 at halftime, Jacobs went ice cold in the third quarter, missing its first 8 shots of the second half.
The Golden Eagles' (15-5, 3-0) scoring drought allowed the Gators (10-8, 1-2) to get back in the game.
A 12-footer by Michelle Gaede pulled the Gators within 3, 29-26, with 1:11 left in the third quarter. A basket by Sierra Dunner with 23 seconds remaining gave Jacobs a 31-26 lead after 3 quarters.
The Golden Eagles' defense really stifled Crystal Lake South in the pivotal fourth quarter.
Holding South without a basket until the 1:12 mark of the fourth quarter, Jacobs took a 38-26 lead on a layup by Tamburrino off a nifty assist from Hailey Cnota.
Jen Hanrahan ended a 6 minute and 48 second fourth quarter scoring drought for the Gators with a layup to make the score 38-28.
Two free throws by Tamburrino with 36 seconds left sealed the win for Jacobs.
Tamburrino, who played the entire fourth quarter with 4 fouls, scored 6 points in the final quarter and ended with 11.
"I didn't let the fact I had 4 fouls bother my play in the fourth quarter," said Tamburrino. "I played with a lot of intensity and didn't worry that I had 4 fouls."
Dunner added 10 points and Cnota 8 for the winners. Cook, who fouled out with 3:52 left in the game, scored 5 points and had 11 rebounds.
Gaede was the lone Gator in double digits with 11 points.
"We forced a lot of shots and rushed a lot of shots," said Gators coach Kyle McCaughn. "The lid was on tight. But compliment Jacobs. They forced us to shoot bad shots. They have only 8 kids, but they play hard."