Jacobs stands too tall for Elgin in regional semi

A decided height advantage in the post translated to a 55-41 victory for top-seeded Jacobs against No. 4 Elgin in a Class 4A Crystal Lake South girls basketball regional semifinal Wednesday night.

Jacobs (20-9) got 21 points and 8 rebounds from 5-foot-10 senior Keri Bultman, 15 points and 7 rebounds from 5-9 junior Maria Tamburrino and 9 points and 5 rebounds from 5-9 junior Hailey Cnota to offset 14 points and 5 boards from 6-1 Elgin senior Ellen Holton. Holton was the only Maroons starter taller than 5-6

"They were definitely a lot taller than us," Holton said. "We tried to do what we could, but in the end it didn't come out the way we wanted it to."

Jacobs held Elgin to 6 points in each of the first two quarters to take a 27-12 halftime lead. The Maroons (7-19) shot 6 of 23 from the field in the first half while turning the ball over 8 times.

Bultman scored 10 points in the first half and Tamburrino 9.

However, the Maroons came out on fire in the third quarter, hitting 9 of the 11 shots they took. Junior guard Brandi Hernandez connected on a 3-pointer, then a baseline jumper to ignite a 9-0 run. Elgin senior Caris Alan followed Holton's jump shot with one of her own from the elbow that cut the deficit to 31-23 with 5:15 left in the third quarter.

"We just realized how much we were down and how much we really wanted it," Alan said. "We gave it everything we could but it wasn't enough."

Despite Elgin's scoring success in the third quarter, the Golden Eagles didn't exactly fall off the pace. They scored 20 points to Elgin's 19, paced by 10 from Bultman on 3 baskets and 4 free throws. Jacobs led 47-31 after three quarters.

"I thought our defense was as good as it's been in a long time," Bultman said of the first half. "Twelve points is pretty good. But then we gave up 19 points in the third quarter. We kind of lost our heart."

Jacobs dominated the boards 29-10.

The win advanced the Golden Eagles to Friday's regional final against host Crystal Lake South (24-4). The teams split two regular-season meetings.

Wednesday's game was the last for Elgin seniors Alan, Holton and Kayla Jackson.

"I'm really going to miss those seniors," Elgin coach Angie Hudson said. "They're the heart of our program and I've had them in the program for four years now. It brings a tear to my eye that I'm going to lose them."