Joliet picks up speed with victory against host Harper

Ninth-ranked Joliet Junior College entered Wednesday's matchup against the Harper College men's basketball team riding an emotional wave.

The Wolves had beaten top-ranked Rock Valley on the road recently, and they only added to their momentum with a 79-50 victory over the Hawks in North Central Community College Conference play.

"(Joliet) did a good job of playing good fundamental defense," said Harper coach Justin Welke, whose team slipped to 10-11 overall.

That defensive edge allowed Joliet coach Joe Kuhn's team to play at a pace it prefers.

"There is no doubt that Joe wanted to speed us up," Welke said. "You can't give up 80 points a game."

Joliet improved to 15-5 and 4-1.

"It was a nice boxing match," said Harper freshman Marcus Dover. "They just hit harder."

The Hawks (1-4 in the N4C) were still in the game after the first half, triaing 40-31. Welke was pleased with his team's initial effort.

One pivotal Harper effort came from Wheeling alum Abdul Mushtaq, who scored 12 of his 15 points in the first half. All his points came on 3s, as he finished 5-for-9 from long distance.

"He killed us in the first half," Kuhn said.

Dover was also a factor over the 40 minutes, scoring 15 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.

"(Dover) is playing the best basketball of his life," Welke said. "He's really developed some moves."

The 6-foot-3 Dover credited first-year Harper assistant coach Jake Lindfors with expanding his game, saying "Me and coach Jake have been working a lot on post moves."

Everything changed in the final 20 minutes as the Hawks were unable to keep up with the frenetic pace.

"The bodies that were out there were tired," said Welke. "It's hard to maintain (a fast pace) for 40 minutes."

The Harper backcout of Marcus Gatlin (9) and Allias Burnett (6 points) struggled, combining to go 5-for-23 from the field. Burnett suffered an injury and did not return for the second half.

Despite the loss, Welke was pleased with his team. "Credit our guys for fighing really hard," he said.

• The Harper women's team suffered its fifth straight loss in a 57-33 decision against Joliet.

Freshman forward Tamara Zivak (Barrington) led the Hawks with 14 points.

"Coach told us to attack the basket," Zivak said. "I just took control."

But there was no way for Harper to overcome the 25 turnovers it committed.

The Hawks (4-15, 0-4) started a lineup consisting of two freshmen, Zivak and Mary Saitta (Hoffman Estates). A third freshman, Lexi Zades (Conant), also played big minutes.

"They have to find a way to get the job done," said Hawks coach Jenny Turpel.

Offensively, that is what the trio did, combining for 21 of the Hawks' 33 points. Zades made a 3 and finished with 9 points, and Saitta contributed 8 points.