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Jacobs goes to 3-0 by topping tourney host Palatine

Jacobs' boys basketball team used 6-foot-9 inch Cameron Krutwig's size to its advantage Friday night at Palatine's Ed Molitor Tournament.

The host Pirates had no one to match up with Krutwig, who scored 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Krutwig outrebounded the entire Palatine team, 17 to 11, as Jacobs won 60-46.

The victory gives the Golden Eagles a 3-0 mark going into Saturday's tournament finale against Deerfield. The host Pirates finish up with a game against York.

But Krutwig wasn't the whole story. Sophomore guard Ryan Phillips played a steady game throughout, scoring 22 points.

"He brings the intangibles to the court," said Jacobs coach Jim Roberts. "He's played calm and confident for us in three games. That says a lot, with him being a sophomore. He keeps getting better and better. Right now he just needs to react quicker. At times he thinks too much on the floor.

"We've been saying that when Cameron gets a lot of attention, he's able to get the ball out to the guards in good shooting position."

After the game was tied at 13 following the first quarter, reserve Cooper Schwartz and Phillips each scored a basket for a 17-13 Jacobs lead. Chris Refka, who led Palatine with 14 points, responded with a 3 to make the score 17-16, but the Pirates didn't get any closer.

Jacobs went on a 10-2 run to lead 27-18 with 2:33 left in the first half and led 27-21 at the break.

Phillips started the second quarter with a 3, followed by a basket from Krutwig and a free throw by Schwartz to lead 33-21.

Jacobs led 44-34 to end the third quarter.

Refka hit a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 44-37.

Jacobs responded with a 11-2 run to put the game away. Phillips had 7 points in the run.

"When teams double team Cameron," said Phillips, "everything opens up. We have a good shooting team. This was a good confidence-builder for me and the team. We need to get a little better on defensive rebounding and cutting down on our turnovers."

Adam Kale connected for three 3-point baskets and finished with 14 points for Jacobs. Schwartz added 6 points.

"They (Jacobs) have a big presence inside with Krutwig," said Palatine coach Eric Millstone. "He really compliments their perimeter players. It's so hard to guard him. He's so good passing out of the post.

"Today was the first game we have all our players on the roster after football. They just need a few games and this next week of practice to get back in the flow of things."

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