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McDaniel, Lake Park top WW South at the buzzer

With the score tied midway through the fourth quarter, each team had its share of chances to move ahead, but neither Lake Park nor Wheaton Warrenville South was able to score a single point until the final second.

It was at that moment that Lake Park senior guard Marcus McDaniel drove through a crowded lane and scored the winning basket on a layup. McDaniel's heroics broke a 40-40 tie and lifted the Lancers to a 7-1 start on the year, including a 2-0 start in the DuPage Valley Conference.

"I saw a little opening and I just took what the defense gave me," said McDaniel, who had just 4 field goals on the night but led his team in scoring in the defensive struggle with 13 points. "This was my first one (game-winner) and it feels pretty good. That felt real good to get the win on the road."

Friday's game at WW South was tight throughout, yet the teams took turns going on nice little runs. Lake Park jumped ahead 9-2 behind a 3-pointer from Danny Hynes and a pair of fastbreak baskets from Stefan Meccia.

But the Tigers (3-3, 0-2) fought back to lead 13-12 after one quarter, and the hosts held a 23-19 lead at the half after Josh Ruggles sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Ruggles had 13 of his team's 23 points through two quarters and finished with a game-high 17 points.

Lake Park then started fast in the third quarter, using a 12-2 run for a 31-25 lead following a steal and a basket from Connor Vance, who scored all 10 of his points in the second half. But the Tigers rebounded to lead 34-32 after three quarters after 6-foot-5 Will Granberry scored inside off a nice feed from Matt Dacy-Seijo.

WW South later led 40-38 following a basket by Eric Rasch midway through the fourth quarter, but the Tigers did not score again, and after a pair of free throws by Vance tied the game at 40-40, it stayed that way for more than four minutes before McDaniel gave his team the 42-40 victory.

"Sometimes you just got to survive and find a way," Lancers coach Josh Virostko said. "Tonight we survived and found a way. It wasn't pretty. But they've got a coach that has won and he's bringing in a new mentality. They're on a rise. I'm kinda glad we played tonight because in January or February I think we lose that game. There's no doubt in my mind that we do."

Tigers coach and athletic director Mike Healy, who stepped away from coaching for three years before returning this season, couldn't ask for his team to play any harder. He just wishes they could have managed to hit a shot or two down the stretch or come up with a key rebound or loose ball that may have changed the outcome.

"Those two teams played really, really hard," Healy said. "I don't think anybody ever felt like they were in control, quite honestly. I'm really proud of how hard we played and we took huge strides, but just have to play more intelligent in the last two and half minutes. But I couldn't be more proud of how hard our kids played. We told them we're early in the season and if we can keep taking strides the way we have been taking them we'll be OK."

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