Pierce tips game Glenbard West's way
Glenbard West's Justin Pierce had a last chance at redemption, but there was one big problem.
There was just a half-second left on the clock to get it.
Pierce made it work, taking Alex Passi's perfectly lofted inbounds pass in midair and scoring on a two-handed tip shot to give the Hilltoppers a 44-43 victory over Downers Grove North in Friday's West Suburban Silver matchup in Glen Ellyn.
By the skin of their teeth, the Hilltoppers remain unbeaten at 15-0 including 3-0 in the Silver.
"I played horrible all game and my teammates really picked me up throughout the game," said Pierce, who finished with 12 points. "Once there was 17 seconds left and we were down 1, I knew it was my time to win the game for us and step up."
It was an eventful final 17 seconds, a situation set up moments earlier when Downers North sophomore Keenan Davis scored to put the Trojans (8-7, 1-4) - who trailed by 13 points at one point in the second half - ahead 43-42.
Pierce missed a pull-up jumper, but the Trojans were whistled for traveling while scrambling for the rebound. Pierce was then fouled and put to the line for the double bonus, but he missed both free throws.
The rebound, however, went off a Trojans player and out of bounds. That led to the game-winning play between Passi and Pierce that was aided by a Connor O'Shea screen. Pierce's shot didn't go down easy, bouncing off the rim and rolling a bit before falling through the hoop to begin a massive celebration.
"We've got to put all our effort into every game because we know the other team is going to give 110 percent and we have to exceed that," said Hilltoppers guard Nick Diver. "Every possession counted."
Glenbard West closed the first half on a 15-2 run, keyed by Brian Cochrane's three 3-pointers, and then Sam Noland scored out of halftime to give the Hilltoppers their biggest lead of 29-16.
The Trojans spent the rest of the game playing catch-up, outscoring Glenbard West 14-5 at one point in the fourth quarter to take their 43-42 advantage.
Bryan Jakobsze led Downers North with 11 points while Davis had 10 points. Devin Blake had 8 points and played tremendous defense on Pierce.
Passi scored 11 points for the Hilltoppers, with Cochrane pitching in 9 points on his 3s.
"This is exactly the type of game I thought it'd be," said Hilltoppers coach Tim Hoder. "Just a physical, knockdown, typical West Suburban battle in the 40s."
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