Fast finish helps Elk Grove win at Palatine
Winning road games in the Mid-Suburban League is a difficult assignment. Elk Grove's task was made even more daunting when it spotted host Palatine the first 10 points of the game their crossover boys basketball game Tuesday.
Late in the fourth quarter, with overtime still a possibility, Elk Grove (6-2) exploded with a 10-0 run of its own, breaking open a 58-all tie and finishing with a 69-62 victory.
"We knew they could score, and they jumped on us for 10," Elk Grove coach Anthony Furman said. "We did a good job of settling down after the first three and a half minutes."
Justin Chaney scored 6 of his game-high 23 points for the Pirates (5-3) in the first quarter, when Palatine made 8-of-12 from the field and led 20-10.
The Grens cut the deficit to 30-28 at halftime. Dan Hadler scored 6 of his team-best 20 and Tyler Ingebrigtsen 4 of his 13 in the second quarter.
"We talked at halftime about having to play our best the whole game," Furman said. "We grew up during the game and did a good job meeting the challenge."
Hadler, who scored 11 second-half points, pinpointed two keys to the victory.
"First, the bench came in and played great in the first half," Hadler said. "Second, coach came in and got our heads straight (at halftime). He let us know if we come out slow, every team will run us out of the gym."
Dipen Patel, Brad Hubly and Kyle Zuba combined for 14 points off the bench for Elk Grove.
With the game tied at 58 and 3:34 left in the fourth quarter, the Grens took advantage of Palatine misses and turnovers to score 10 straight points in less than 2 minutes. Ingebrigtsen, Hubly and Zuba each made a basket, and Joey Gatziolis had a basket and 2 free throws.
"We knew we're capable of runs like that," Hadler said. "It felt like we loosened up."
"They made some effort plays and hustle plays down the stretch," Palatine coach Eric Millstone said. "Our defensive awareness wasn't where it needed to be. We scored 69 and 62 in our last two games. In the MSL, that should win games."
Isaiah Curiel, getting the start in place of Eric Pillath, who hurt his knee against Hersey, contributed 12 points to Elk Grove's winning effort, connecting on 4 of 8 from behind the arc. Hubly added 9 and Gatziolis scored 8 for the Grens.
Chris Macahon scored 11 for the Pirates. Mike Williams and Chris Refka each added 8 and RJ Smith 7.