Aurora Central stymies Aurora Christian

Aurora Central Catholic finally took its offense to a pace Chargers coach Nathan Drye likes, and it led to a 53-42 Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division win over Aurora Christian.

Leading just 17-15 at halftime, Aurora Central (6-2, 2-1) outscored the visiting Eagles 24-14 in the third quarter. Drye called in the key to the game.

“I thought we finally got the game going up and down,” he said. “The game was just going so slow and we finally got some fast break buckets. That was a big difference in the game. We finally did a great job of getting out and running.”

Guard Sean Harreld made both of his 3-pointers in that stretch, and finished with 7 points. Three Chargers reached double-digits, Phil Schuetz at 13 points, Anthony Andujar with 11 and Zach Flint with 10.

Aurora Christian (3-4, 0-3) got a team-high 13 points from Ryan Suttle, but ACC’s 2-3 zone defense contained Eagles Johnathan Harrell and Ryan McQuade to 7 points apiece and another top scorer, Cory Windle, to 3.

“We guarded tonight, I thought we were solid on defense. I thought that was the key to the game,” Drye said.

It was the first time Drye faced his former assistant, Pat McNamara, now Aurora Christian’s head coach.

“It really wasn’t a deal at all,” Drye said. “We just needed a win. We lost the last game out, so we needed to get back on track, needed a win somehow.”