Fate smiles on Maine West in tournament finale

Thirteen was hardly an unlucky number for a pair of Maine West freshmen on Saturday night.

Allison Pearson and Jessica Riedl's 13 points apiece helped lead the Warriors to their first win of the season on closing night of the Hoffman Estates girls basketball tournament.

Hall of fame coach Derril Kipp watched his Warriors edge the host Hawks 53-52.

Pearson, a 5-foot-7 guard, dished out 3 assists while Riedl, a 6-0 forward, pulled down 7 rebounds.

West junior guard Monica Liwag also came up with a key performance, scoring 9 points with a team-high 8 rebounds.

"Monica gave us tremendous leadership," said Warriors assistant coach Kim Demarigny.

Riedl (7-of-8) was clutch at the free throw line, closing the game with seven in a row, including four in the fourth quarter.

Hoffman Estates (1-4) was led by Monraia Wilson's game-high 25 points. The 5-8 sophomore guard, who scored 30 points earlier this season against Lake Park, converted three 3-pointers and was 8-of-8 at the free throw line.

Senior forward Mary Saitta added 10 points for Hoffman while Erin Hanson had 8.

Maine South 55, Barrington 34: Maine South jumped out to a 17-0 lead after one quarter and never looked back in the final-round game of the Buffalo Grove Bison Classic.

Junior Megan Talbot (12 points) and Lauren Pector (9 points with three 3-pointers) led the Fillies (2-3).

Antioch 53, Wheeling 52: Senior Deanna Kuzmanic scored a game-high 22 points while classmate Hailey Dammeier added 14 for the Wildcats, who finished 3-2 in the Niles North Thanksgiving tournament and stand at 4-2 overall.

Kuzmanic had four 3-pointers while classmate Hannah Dobrowski had two and sophomore Coco Yoshino one.