Rock Valley trips up ECC
Ryan Harris shot lights out in the first half of Elgin Community College's season opener against Rock Valley College Tuesday night at the Events Center.
Harris and the Spartans cooled dramatically in the second half and by the time they regrouped time ran out as the Golden Eagles (1-1) took an 85-79 victory to spoil Reed Nosbisch's coaching debut.
The Spartans nearly pulled off a 12-point comeback. ECC came within 3 points (80-77) with 1 minute, 21 seconds remaining, but could not close the gap.
Point guard Kevin Kasinger hit a pair of free throws with 33 seconds left to come within 83-79, but Rock Valley was too much.
Jeff Weberg finished with 19 of his 22 points in the second half for the Golden Eagles.
Harris finished with 20 of ECC's 33 first half points and shot 6 of 9 from the floor, including 4 of 5 from 3-point land.
The Dundee-Crown product was just 3 of 7 from the floor, 0 of 4 from beyond the arc, in the second half. Harris did lead all scorers with 27, but without his scoring the Spartans' offense struggled.
"We have to work on getting everyone open," Harris said. "They played better team help (defense). I'm used to that."
ECC scored just 5 points in the first 5:26 of the second half.
"They face-guarded (Harris)," Nosbisch said. "They didn't allow him to touch the basketball. We have to work to get him open."
The Spartans did get a boost from former Larkin standout Carliss Henderson. Henderson, who did not play in the first half after missing a practice, finished the second half with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals.
"I was trying to come in the second half and give us a spark," Henderson said.
Rock Valley 49, ECCF women 42: Rock Valley (1-2) took a 26-21 halftime lead and cruised to a 49-42 victory over ECC. The Spartans (1-1) struggled with both their inside scoring and from the free throw line in the loss.
Jessica Turnage led ECC with 10 points, Meaghan Staley-Gamble finished with 8 points and 7 rebounds and Anfelia Gafford added 8 points.
ECC went just 10 of 17 from the free-throw line, while Rock Valley was 13 of 19.
"We have to make free throws and layups," ECC coach Jerry McLaughlin said. "Free throws is one area we're not supposed to lose games with."