Jacobs turns up defense, downs Woodstock

When the Jacobs' boys basketball team needs to turn up the defensive intensity, it does.

After allowing visiting Woodstock a 21-19 advantage after the first quarter, an increase in defensive pressure was more than needed. The Golden Eagles responded by giving up just 7 points in the second quarter and taking a 40-28 halftime lead.

Jacobs went on to earn a 70-61 Senior Night victory in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division action.

"Our defense in the first quarter wasn't good," said Jacobs' senior Tim Moran, who finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. "They were hitting their shots. Offensively, we were hitting our shots."

Jacobs (22-2, 7-1) shot 60.7 percent (17 of 28) from the floor in the first half, including making its first 6 shots of the second quarter. The Golden Eagles turned their 2-point deficit into a 33-24 advantage when Moran hit a 3-pointer with 3:45 left in the first half. Jacobs outscored Woodstock (5-20, 1-7) 21-7 in the second quarter and shot 9-of-13 in the period.

Senior Mike Peterson (5 assists, 2 steals) scored 7 of his 10 points in the second quarter and gave Jacobs a 35-24 advantage with a layup with 2:12 remaining in the first half. The layup came off of 1 of 6 Woodstock turnovers in the second quarter.

"Our kids know when we have to turn up the defense, we do," Jacobs' coach Jim Hinkle said. "It was basket for basket in the first quarter. We got good shots and we were able to penetrate."

Woodstock, however, never seemed to go away. The Blue Streaks outscored Jacobs 33-30 in the second half and challenged the Golden Eagles late. Nate Burns hit all 3 of his 3-pointers in the second half and Casey Sewall finished with 14 of his game-high 22 points in the second half to keep Woodstock in the game.

Luckily, Jacobs had its own inside/outside combo going in the second half. Conrad Krutwig scored 10 of his 17 points in the second half and junior Mike Barch chipped in 13 of his team-high 21. Krutwig added 3 blocks and a pair of assists.

"We didn't want to let them hang around with us," Krutwig said. "We knew they didn't want to run with us. Our bench did a good job when me and Mike went out."

Woodstock came within 58-51 early in the fourth quarter, but Jacobs immediately responded as Krutwig scored and Barch got an offensive putback to put Jacobs back up 62-51. The Blue Streaks would not come within 7 points again until the game's final 30 seconds.

"Barch hhad a great night," Hinkle said. "He's that third option that no one knew about coming into the season."