Jacobs gets past Chicago Harlan

Jacobs boys basketball coach Jim Roberts realized Chicago Harlan's helter-skelter run-and-gun style would provide a challenge for his team early in the 2014-2015 campaign.

The Golden Eagles met the challenge.

Playing without Northern Michigan recruit Kenton Mack, the Golden Eagles got 17 points from Chrishawn Orange, 14 of them in the second half, in a 62-48 win over Harlan in action at the Mac Irvin Diabetes Classic at Larkin Saturday afternoon.

"We knew Harlan creates a ratty style of basketball," said Roberts. "A sloppy style is certainly to their advantage. It was good to see a team that plays like that because next time we play a team like that we will handle the pressure better. We can certainly play better, It simply comes down to passing and catching the ball better."

Nursing a slim 1-point advantage over Falcons, 37-36, with 2:33 left in the third quarter, Jacobs grabbed control of the game with an 8-0 run to end the period. Two 3-pointers from Ryan Ross and a layup by Orange keyed the pivotal surge and Jacobs led by 9, 45-36, after 24 minutes.

"We had open 3s all day and couldn't make enough of them," said Roberts. "The 3s by Ryan really loosened things up for us inside. Those were huge shots."

Dwatann Washington canned a 3-pointer for Harlan to start the fourth quarter to cut Jacobs lead to 6, 45-39, with 7:05 remaining. That would be as close as the Falcons would get.

Jacobs cemented the victory by making 9-of-10 from the free throw line in the final 1:25, Orange made 4-of-4, Mike Canady 2-of-2 and Cam Krutwig 3-of-4.

"It was a good win for us," said Orange, "They pressured us the whole game with traps and pressure full court. We handled it well at times, but we need to get better. It will be good to get Kenton back next week. He will really help us handle the pressure better."

Krutwig backed up Orange with a monster effort which included 12 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 block shots.

"Cam's smarts and passing ability are his best attributes," said Roberts. "Our guys have to do a better job of being ready for his passes. Cam is a fantastic passer and he can make any pass at any angle."

Canady scored 10 points including 8-of-13 from the free throw line. Juwann Robinson and Michael Johnson scored 10 apiece for Harlan.