Pettenuzzo, Prospect pull away from Viator

Prospect's Marissa Pettenuzzo went to grammar school or grew up playing park district basketball with a lot of the girls on St. Viator's girls team.

"So it's always fun to play them," said the 5-foot-10 senior forward.

And it's always been a win for Pettenuzzo while on the Knights varsity team.

This time, the Knights extended a 32-29 lead to an 8-point advantage with 5:06 left in the nonconference game and went on to record a 47-42 triumph over the Lions at the Jean Walker Field House in Mt. Prospect.

"We finally shook free from them," said Pettenuzzo, whose team trailed 12-8 in the second quarter before nudging ahead 18-16 at the intermission. "It took us a while to get into a flow but when we did, we couldn't be stopped.

"It's the first time we really played as a team. We cut down our turnovers and listened to our game plan."

Pettenuzzo's back-to-back 10-footer and driving layup gave the Knights (4-4) a 36-30 lead with 5:36 left in the third period.

Two free throws by sophomore guard Michele Molini made it 38-30 and the visitors never got closer than the final score.

Senior guard Sarah Winans led the Knights with 15 points while classmate Ashley Wabik had 1 field goal in every quarter and finished with 9 points.

"It was a game of runs, and they had that longest one at the start of the third quarter (8-0) to take control," said Lions senior guard Taylor Skala, who scored 13 points.

The Lions (3-4) converted 9 of 22 free throws.

"The difference was free throws," said Lions coach Paul Bjerkness. "We wanted to get inside. We got some great opportunities and great looks, but some shots just didn't fall. And we have to be better than 9-for-22 shooting free throws."

"We need to focus on free thows," said Lions 6-foot-1 junior Lauren Rooney, who chipped in 11 points with 11 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

Prospect junior Maura Benson helped lead the hosts on the boards.

"Maura was doing a great job," said Knights coach Martha Kelly. "She always gives her best effort and is always hustling. She does a lot of the little things that don't show up in the box score."

The box score showed Lions senior Emily Leazer scoring a basket in the first quarter and another early in the second before leaving with an injured ankle. Leazer grabbed 7 rebounds while Skala handed out 5 assists.

"I thought Lauren Rooney had a solid game," Bjerkness said. "Taylor (Skala) gives her all and makes things happen. And I thought Tracy Supergan did a great job coming in for defense."

Prospect's biggest lead of the game was 28-19 following a 16-footer by Molini with 5:39 left in the third quarter.

"We were aggressive offensively," Kelly added. "We did a great job rebounding and that allowed us to push the ball up the floor."

"This game gives us confidence now for Friday night (against Elk Grove)," Pettenuzzo said. "We are working on things we need to improve on and if we play like this, we can play with anyone."

Wheeling 41, Jacobs 32: Junior forwards Leah Malsom (13 points) and Kellie Kuzmanic (12) led host Wheeling (2-7) in the nonconference game.

Elk Grove 27, Lake Forest 18: Michelle Calmeyn (11 points) and Maggie Fries (5 points, 1 3-pointer) paced host Elk Grove (6-3) in the nonconference matchup.

Christian Liberty Academy 40, Crossroads 36: Brittany Negron (17 points, 15 rebounds) and Jayna Rowland (8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists) led the host Chargers (3-2).