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Downers Grove North too hot for Glenbard South

It's hard to believe this was the same Downers Grove North boys basketball team from just three days earlier.

In a complete reversal of fortune, the Trojans shot the roof off the gymnasium in Tuesday's 70-51 nonconference victory over Glenbard South in Glen Ellyn.

A stunning perimeter performance featured 15 3-pointers, including seven from Devin Blake, who scored a game-high 23 points. The effort came on the heels of back-to-back weekend losses to Lyons Twp. and Hinsdale Central when the Trojans (3-5) scored a total of only 76 points.

"It's been brutal, so we came in (Tuesday morning) and got up 100 or 200 3s," said Blake, who missed only 3 of 11 shots and grabbed 6 rebounds. "It paid dividends tonight. I could definitely see that becoming a routine. It was fun."

The extra shooting practice paid off immediately when Downers North knocked down 6 first-quarter 3-pointers and built a 29-11 lead in the opening minute of the second quarter. Downers North led by as many as 23 points before Glenbard South (5-3) finally made a move with an 11-3 run.

The Trojans, however, never let Glenbard South come closer than 15 points away. An 18-3 burst to start the third quarter - capped by Blake's third 3-pointer of the period - boosted the advantage to 61-31.

"They came out ready to play and, unfortunately, I didn't think we did," said Glenbard South coach Wade Hardtke. "We dug ourselves a hole early. They were hungry. They came out and we couldn't match their intensity and hustle."

After dismal shooting in its previous three West Suburban Silver games, Downers North shot a collective 56 percent from the field, including 15-of-27 shooting from 3-point range.

Bryan Jakobsze scored 12 points while Matt Mahlke and Anthony Castelvecchi had 10 points apiece. Billy Bair led Glenbard South with 15 points, and Charlie Bair tallied 10 points.

"We were excited to get one on the road today," said Downers North coach Jim Thomas. "Taking two this weekend from Hinsdale Central and L.T. was difficult for our guys to come back to practice and really get after it. But they got in this morning and got a bunch of shots up. It's nice to see the ball go in for them. That obviously helps your confidence."

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